Tips for Hosting a Pet-Friendly Easter

Easter is about celebrating the coming of spring and a sense of renewal. Families nationwide will enjoy egg hunts, easter baskets, and celebratory dinners. As integral members of your family, pets deserve a seat at the celebration. Obviously, they cannot enjoy the same treats as people, but there is no reason they cannot enjoy something.

Whether you own a dog, cat, or another furry critter, you can customize your Easter celebration to be all-inclusive. Discover five ways to ensure your pets and guests have fun this holiday.

1. Create a Pet-Friendly Easter Egg Hunt

A traditional egg hunt is for children. Parents usually hide actual hard-boiled, decorated eggs or plastic eggs filled with goodies. If you have children, continue the tradition, but consider having a separate egg hunt for your pets.

While you can still use plastic eggs for pet hunts, you might opt for safe items for your pets to shred and tear into, like crumpled paper or small boxes. Whatever you choose to use as your "eggs," make sure they have ventilation, allowing the scent to permeate the area.

You have two options for "egg" fillers: treats or toys. Bare Bites Beef Liver Dog and Cat Treat is an excellent and odorous option for hiding around the house or yard. If you hide the treats for your cat, put them up higher, like in cat trees, condos, or on shelves.

Toys are fun to hide in "eggs," but they may not provide enough of an odor as an incentive unless they are cat toys with cat nip, like P.L.A.Y. Feline Frenzy Cat Toys - Hooti-ful Owls 2 Toy Set. If you hide things for a dog, consider toys that allow openings for treats.

2. Design Easter Baskets With Pets in Mind

Not all pets are so eager to hunt for toys and treats; some pampered pets are more laid back and prefer that humans hand them their gifts. For lazy or lax animals, an easter basket is an excellent option.

A pet Easter basket is similar to a human Easter basket but has several unique features. First, the basket must be durable and able to withstand chewing or clawing. Second, you want to avoid traditional Easter grasses for stuffing; it is best to use crinkle-cut paper or even pet bedding. Finally, the treats and toys in the basket should be pet-safe.

Consider your dog's or cat's favorite treats when gathering items for the basket. Look for toys that fit their personality, like chew toys for dogs and action toys for cats. Some examples include:

• fabcat® Sushi Teaser Cat Toy

• PetSafe Dancing Dot Laser Cat Toy

• Pet Life Grip N' Play Treat Dispensing Football Suction Cup Dog Toy - Blue

• Chomper Mini Safari Tug Me Dog Toy - Elephant

3. Focus on Safety-First Festivities

Easter gatherings can pose potential risks to pets. For example, many children receive baskets full of different candies, specifically chocolates. Chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs. Lilies, while a common Easter flower, are also toxic to pets. To ensure your pets' safety during holiday festivities, limit their exposure to either element. If possible, keep pets somewhere safe until people are done with potentially dangerous desserts and snacks.

While you likely don't want to lock your animals away from the gathering, sometimes it is in their best interest. Keeping them secure in a kennel or behind a pet gate, such as the Richell One-Touch Metal Mesh Dog Gate - Antique Bronze, is the most surefire way to keep pets from eating things they shouldn't and keep guests from feeding pets things they shouldn't.

4. Encourage Fun Beyond the Baskets

Beyond egg hunts, baskets, and safety, Easter celebrations should be about fun. As you plan your party, think of inclusive games for guests and pets. Some examples of games are fetch, tug-of-war, and tag.

Also, pets always present excellent opportunities for photo ops. You can find fun and funny costumes for your pets that will have guests delighted to take pictures. Some of the most popular options include:

• Animal Planet Holy Hound Dog Costume

• Duck Quilted Dog Sweater by Dogo - Yellow

• Rubies Walking Bunny Dog Costume

• Easter Bonnet Dog Hat with Same Day Shipping

If you want a more laid-back Easter, consider taking a long walk with your pets and family. Dogs need 30-45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily. A scenic walk around the local park or your neighborhood can help boost your bond with your pet and give you and your relatives or friends time to talk.

Finally, after the meal, games, and walk, you can spend time cuddling with your pets. Cuddle time is an excellent opportunity to settle down and relax, which is beneficial for pets, guests, and yourself.

5. Manage Guest and Pet Comfort

If you are hosting the Easter gathering, you must manage guest and pet comfort. Your first role is to educate your guests. Send out a friendly message about your pets and house rules. The message should include the following:

• No feeding pets human food, especially chocolate

• Ask before petting or handling pets

• Close doors and gates securely

If you have shy or nervous pets, it is best to create a safe haven or quiet room for them, such as a bedroom. To get your pet used to the space, start spending time in the room in the weeks before the party, specifically during the hours of the upcoming event.

An Easter celebration should be for the entire family, including pets. As long as you think of your pet during the planning stages, everything should be fun and memorable.