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Easter for Dogs: Fun Activities and Important Easter Safety Tips

Get the bunny ears out and hide the Easter eggs, because the Easter Bunny has arrived…or perhaps I should say the Easter dog! We love it when this time of year arrives, because it means a ton of fun, and family activities that you can include your buddy in, such as taking everyone to a dog-friendly “egg” hunt. As exciting as these events are, it’s also important to keep some Easter safety tips in mind, such as making sure they don’t eat or ingest anything that could make them sick.

Easter Gifts for Dogs

One of the more joyous presents to give your dog during this season is an Easter themed doggy gift basket. You might be wondering, What are some great Easter gifts I can give my dog? Thankfully, there are a lot of cute Easter present ideas which are safe options for your buddy. Here are a few examples of these ideas below:

Whatever you choose to give your dog, they will love you just for remembering them during this season.

Easter “Egg” Hunt for Dogs

One of the best Easter activities one can set up is a dog-friendly Easter “egg” hunt. There are many fun ways to create this, while ensuring that your pup stays safe during their “egg” hunting adventures. Below are some tips on how you can set this up for your buddy and their friends: 

  1. Find the right dog-safe Easter “eggs”. Since plastic eggs tend to present many safety risks, especially if a dog tries to chew on them or eat them, it’s probably better to opt in for KONG toys or other dog toys you can hide treats in. You can also choose not to place goodies in anything at all and hide them as is. One recommendation is creating a scent trail by dragging the treats along the ground on the way to their hiding places.
  2. Choose dog-appropriate treats. When it comes to figuring out what treats to use, it’s best to make sure they are safe for dogs and small sized snacks. This way they don’t eat too many goodies in a tiny amount of time. It’s also good to make sure they are treats that are easy for dogs to smell.
  3. Pick a dog-friendly location. Make sure that whatever space you use, whether it is indoors or outdoors, is big enough to host all the contesting canines. If you have a fenced-in backyard, then this would be a great space for a dog-friendly Easter party and “egg” hunt. If there is a risk of resource guarding, then this activity might be best performed either solo or with dogs that are used to eating together.
  4. Hide the treats. Remember that dogs are not like humans and aren’t able to see the vast number of colors that we can. They mostly rely on their sense of smell to find things, so by keeping the treats low to the ground this will help them find these hidden treasures more easily. It’s also important to make sure that you are hiding them in places which are safe for dogs, such as away from thorn bushes, poisonous plants, and other such spaces. Fun tip: You can try helping your pup find the first couple of treats, then let them smell these treats and see if they can get the hang of it on their own. 
  5. Referee and monitor all doggy participants. It’s best for the owner of each dog to either keep them on a leash or to stay near them to keep an eye on their pup. Prioritize safety and make sure everyone has enough space to move around. If there is a mixture of puppies, small dogs, and larger dogs, it might be best to arrange separate Easter “egg” hunts for each group.   
  6. Clean up! The dogs will most likely clean up all the treats and tasty goodies. However, make sure you pick up any trash or other items that could be harmful to your pup and other animals. It’s best to keep the environment clean and to make sure all items are accounted for.

Easter Foods Bad for Dogs

The following is a list of Easter foods that our Purina experts say are harmful to dogs:   

If you suspect your dog has ingested anything toxic, call your veterinarian or nearby animal hospital immediately. You can also contact the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435. 

For more expert tips on feeding your dog, explore our other dog feeding guide articles.