April 17, 2025, 9:19 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Easter is a joyful family celebration for many, featuring colorful eggs, brunch, and, of course, plenty of chocolate. However, for dogs, it often presents dangers—or simply boredom.
Easter can be easily made dog-friendly—with games, snacks, and an emergency plan just in case. Dog trainer Katharina Marioth offers tips on how to make Easter with your dog a fun time for everyone involved.
Overview
1. The Easter Rally for Dog and Family
Why should only children hunt for colorful eggs? Dogs also enjoy finding things, solving tasks, and being active. A homemade Easter rally adds variety and strengthens bonds.
Here’s how it works: Plan a small course in the garden or during a walk. At various stations, there are tasks for the dog like sit, stay, or a sniffing game. As a reward, he gets healthy treats. Children or guests can also be involved—with small quizzes or movement games. This way, your Easter walk with your dog becomes a team adventure!
2. Homemade Easter Treats for Your Dog
When the chocolate bunny is waiting on the table, your dog should also have something tasty for Easter. Homemade snacks are simple, healthy, and sugar-free.
Carrot-Banana Cookies for Dogs
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 100 g carrots (grated)
- 1 egg
- 150 g oats (ground)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Preparation: Mix everything, shape into small cookies or bunnies, and bake at 160 degrees for about 20 minutes. Let cool—done!
Yogurt Easter Eggs
Ingredients: 200 g plain yogurt, a bit of honey (optional), pureed berries
Preparation: Fill into suitable silicone molds, freeze—after 3 hours, there’s a cool Easter snack.
3. Easter Photoshoot with Your Dog—No Costumes Needed
Cute Easter photos are a lovely memory, but please, no pressure. No dog should be forced into a bunny costume that’s uncomfortable. Better: Decorate subtly with colorful eggs, spring flowers, or let your dog curiously sniff an Easter basket. If your dog likes balancing, maybe he can hold an egg on his paw—but always voluntarily and stress-free.
4. Easter Walk with Dogs: Search, Play & Nature
Turn your Easter walk into a little adventure. Hide treats in the woods or the meadow, include small “obstacles” like balancing on logs or weaving around trees. If you’re in a group, you can make it a small Easter search game. This way, exercise with your dog at Easter becomes an experience.
5. Emergency Tips: If Your Dog Eats an Easter Bunny
As wonderful as Easter is, it also brings risks. Chocolate and aluminum foil are particularly dangerous for dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the higher the content. Even small amounts can cause symptoms like vomiting, trembling, rapid heartbeat, or even seizures.
Example: A bar of dark chocolate (100 g, 70% cocoa) can be life-threatening for a 10-kg dog.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate?
- Stay calm
- Note the amount, type, and time
- Contact a vet or emergency service immediately
- Do not induce vomiting—leave that to professionals
Tip: Online, you can find chocolate calculators to assess the risk based on weight and amount. Still, when in doubt, always see a vet.
Aluminum Foil—The Forgotten Risk
It’s not just the content that’s dangerous—the packaging is too. Aluminum foil can cause injuries or blockages in the gastrointestinal tract. If your dog has eaten a piece with foil, every minute counts. Go to the vet immediately—preferably with information on what exactly was eaten.
6. Avoiding Easter Risks
To ensure Easter doesn’t end with a trip to the animal clinic, here are the most important tips to avoid risks for dogs at Easter:
- Store chocolate and other snacks safely—consider children’s reach too!
- Education: All guests and children should know that dogs must not have chocolate
- Place Easter baskets out of reach
- Prepare treats for the dog separately—this reduces temptation
7. Ideas for Easter Gifts for Your Dog
Dogs deserve a little gift at Easter too. If you want to make your dog happy, here are some great ideas for dog gifts that not only bring joy but also promote health and well-being—and are, of course, suitable for four-legged guests at Easter.
Chew Items for Healthy Teeth and Fun
A high-quality chew item is not only a great gift but also promotes your dog’s dental care. You can give your dog a rawhide bone, dried chicken wings, or a natural chew like a pig’s ear or a tripe roll. These are not only tasty but also support dental care by massaging the gums and removing plaque.
Chew Toys for More Engagement
If your dog loves to chew on things, a durable chew toy is also a good choice. Products made from natural rubber or rubber are particularly good, as they are robust and safe for your dog. Popular options are toys in the form of balls, rings, or bones that your dog can carry around and chew on as desired.
Easter Snack Set—Treats in Colorful Shapes
Small, healthy treats are always a good idea, especially if they are baked or packaged especially for Easter. You can give your dog a set of homemade treats in the shape of Easter eggs or bunnies. If you don’t want to bake yourself, there are many suppliers who sell special dog snacks in the form of eggs, carrots, or bunnies for Easter. These can be presented in a pretty basket or a special Easter bag.
Intelligence Toys—For Smart Minds
If your dog likes to puzzle and use his brain, an intelligence toy is the perfect Easter gift. These toys come in many varieties: from food puzzles to interactive toys where the dog has to solve a specific task to get a treat. This way, your dog is mentally challenged and occupied, which is a good way to keep him engaged, especially during the holidays.
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Conclusion
Easter is the perfect opportunity to make your dog happy. With a creative Easter rally, healthy homemade snacks, and great gifts, you can ensure your dog enjoys the holiday as much as you do. It’s important to always pay attention to your dog’s safety—both during activities and with gifts.
With these ideas, your dog is sure to have a happy and safe Easter.