Live your best long weekend life with your pets
Summary
It's springtime in the UK which means long weekends, glorious BBQs, and Easter egg hunts.
Here's how to keep your pets safe at parties where there are heaping dishes of food, new sights and smells to discover, and potential hazards.
Napo Lifetime Plus for dogs and cats comes with free 24/7 vet video calls, so you have peace of mind when you're out and about with your pet.
Live your best long weekend life with your pets
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… No, not that time – BBQ season!
With long weekends in April and May promising Easter eggs, hot cross buns, and plenty of alfresco dining, it’s worth getting a reminder of how to keep your pets safe. We don’t want curiosity to harm the cat or the dog!
🤳 If you need to contact a vet and can’t get through, try the animal poison line 01202 509 000. Napo customers also have access to videocalls on FirstVet.
Read on for our guide to pet safety this BBQ season. Photo credit @vgajic
Easter food
Chocolate and pets never mix!
🍫 Chocolate is poisonous to both cats and dogs. If you’re exchanging, hunting, or scoffing Easter eggs (no judgement) then make sure someone keeps track of all the choc. It should stay out of the reach of pets at all times.
🚑 If you think your pet ate chocolate, contact the vet immediately and keep the wrapper/ingredients list if possible. Unfortunately, they’ll have to flush your pet’s system to make sure they’re safe.
🍳 You may have seen
‘dog safe chocolate eggs’
in the shops. Our advice: ‘dog safe’ doesn’t mean ‘dog healthy’! As they say, shit happens
, and you may not want to spend your long weekend cleaning up… We know you love your pets (we love them too) but remember actual eggs exist, and are great for your dog to eat. Scrambled, poached, boiled – and no adverse effects. OK, chocolate rant over!
🪺 For happy and hilarious games in the garden with your doggos, read our guide to dog-centric alternatives to chocolate Easter egg hunts.
Plastic eggs with treats inside are a sure winner. Photo credit Hannah Vincent
One a penny, two a penny…
🍇 Hot cross buns, though traditional, are not everyone’s bag. Least of all your cats’ and dogs’! Raisins and grapes are toxic, causing gastric and kidney issues even in tiny amounts. Take care with hot cross crumbs and debris on the counters, floor, or plates.
🚑 If you think your pet ingested raisins, contact the vet straight away. As with chocolate, they may need their system flushed.
Firing up the barbie
The Great British Summer is defined by enjoying burnt sausages fresh off the BBQ, in all weathers. Hanging out with friends and family is a staple of bank hol weekends and gives your dogs a brilliant chance to socialise.
Hosting or attending parties may be intimidating with a very inquisitive, food-motivated dog. But with some planning (secure garden gate ✅ comfortable harness and lead ✅) you can both relax and enjoy.
👨🏽🍳 The main BBQ host should keep utensils and equipment put away once they’ve lit the grill. Briquettes, kindling, lighter fluid, matches, then tools like tongs and spatulas – unlikely to tempt cats but could be interesting (and harmful) to dogs.
🗡️ The biggest risk factor is kebab sticks. You know as well as us that scavenging pets give anything a go, including sharp and pointy items! If kebabs are on the menu, be vigilant about platters and collect used sticks into a cup.
🚑 If your pet does gobble up a kebab stick, you know the drill. Contact your vet – you don’t want them suffering from any internal punctures.
Finders keepers. Photo credit @alexei_tm
🍗 More generally, raw and cooked meat should both be kept out of reach of cats and dogs. The main host will ideally stay on top of their meat platters! It’s harder to keep track of individual plates, which may contain scraps. If you know you have a scavenging pet, keep them on a lead or clear plates early and often.
👀 The good news – if your pet does pilfer some meat, don’t panic. Keep an eye on them over the next 48 hours. If they get an upset stomach, Napo customers can make use of free calls to FirstVet for care tips.
Sunshine & sausages, sorted
If the ‘avoid list’ above makes you intimidated to take your pet to a party, it’s worth practising some “leave it” cues to build confidence for both of you. Most of all, take the long weekend as an opportunity to bond with your pets outdoors and relax. ✌️ 🌭
24/7 vet calls for Napo customers
Pets with Napo Lifetime Cover are insured for accidents such as the hazards listed above, and can expect to get back on their paws quickly. Most breeds have third-party liability in case of any accidental damage. If you need support fast, you have access to our free vet helpline and partners FirstVet who are available 24/7 for videocalls. Get your Napo Lifetime Plus insurance quote now.
Jump to
Easter egg hunt games to play with your pets
Easter egg hunt games to play with your pets
So-called 'dog/cat-safe chocolate' may be safe, but it's not so healthy for them.
Our Easter treat for all of you: three brilliant ways you can incorporate an Easter egg hunt theme into games with your pets, that boost your bond and help you spend some relaxing time outdoors together this long weekend.
Napo Lifetime Plus for dogs and cats comes with free 24/7 vet video calls, so you have peace of mind year-round.
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