Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening times for the Easter weekend (Friday 7th – Monday 10th April) for those looking to enjoy a day out with family and friends or pick up some last-minute Easter gifts, decorations for the celebrations.
From Friday 7th – Monday 10th April the centre’s shopping hours will be:
Good Friday – 7th April: 10am – 9pm
Easter Saturday – 8th April: 9am – 7pm
Easter Sunday – 9th April: 10am – 6pm
Easter Monday – 10th April: 10am – 9pm
Fort Kinnaird always recommends checking with individual retailers for their specific opening times before setting off to avoid disappointment. For the most up to date Easter opening hours, check here: https://www.fortkinnaird.com/opening-times
Along with its wide variety of shops and restaurants, the centre has also compiled a range of options for family fun for the Easter school holidays, including the chance to meet and learn about small animals at Pets at Home, and crafting workshops at Hobbycraft where kids of all ages can enjoy clay-making and painting.
Fort Kinnaird is home to over 70 shops and restaurants including M&S, H&M, Primark, Bread Meats Bread and newly opened Chaiiwala, as well as a seven-screen Odeon cinema. There are also more than 2,600 free parking spaces.
For more information to help plan your Easter trip to Fort Kinnaird, including what’s on during the Easter holidays head here.
Celebrate Easter with Edinburgh Science Festival this weekend! Visit the Festival’s premier family extravaganza at City Arts Centre – featuring five floors of hand-on science workshops and activities for children between 3 and 12.
Families can explore the chemistry behind producing your own slime in Splat-tastic, delve into the world of motion in Speedy Sails, uncover the mysteries of dinosaurs which roamed the Earth millions of years ago in Dig Up a Dinosaur or perform a surgery using real-life equipment in E.R. Surgery.
PICTURES: Dorothy (4), James (1.5) and Kofi (1.5 ) getting eggsperimental with Imagination Playground, one of the City Art Centre activities.
North Bridge will reopen to two-way traffic this month after the completion of essential work on its concrete deck, last replaced in the 1930s.
The bridge has been closed to northbound traffic since November 2021 to allow for specialist work, involving the demolition and replacement of a large section of the deck, waterproofing and resurfacing, as part of the major North Bridge Refurbishment Project.
Two-way running will return from 21 April, though the footpath on the west side of the bridge will remain closed for the time being.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur, said:“The reopening of North Bridge to two-way traffic will be great news to many and I’d like to thank all those who live in and travel through the area for their patience while this essential work was carried out. In particular, I would like to thank the local business community and bus passengers for their patience.
“So much of what happens in the North Bridge Refurbishment Project goes unseen, but it’s a huge, complex scheme involving intricate, specialist skills and significant repairs to decades-old infrastructure.
“The partial closure of the bridge to traffic has allowed the team to carry out crucial work to restore and reinforce the deck for future generations. I look forward to seeing the project unfold further as the bridge’s façade is revived to its former glory.
“North Bridge was constructed by Sir William Arrol after he completed both the Forth Bridge and Tower Bridge, and this work should ensure it maintains the same iconic status.”
Rory McFadden, Balfour Beatty Project Director, said: “The reopening of the North Bridge to traffic marks a momentous milestone, culminating months of hard work and tenacity from our dedicated team.
“I would like to thank the local community in Edinburgh for their co-operation and patience during these essential works, which once complete, will ensure that this iconic structure remains for generations to come.”
In November 2021, investigations revealed the poor condition of concrete within the central part of the deck. Over the last 15 months contractors have replaced the deck’s reinforced concrete and installed a waterproofing system to protect the concrete and stop surface water passing into the structural steelwork below.
Elsewhere on the bridge, complex restoration work continues, including structural steelwork repairs, which are largely complete. More recent phases have seen 80,000 new bolts installed and strengthening and repairs to almost 650 parts of the steelwork.
Contractors have also started grit blasting and painting the bridge’s iconic façade, an 18-month process which signals the start of finishing works for the bridge. As well as removing existing coatings and surface corrosion through grit blasting, specialists have begun the intricate task of repainting the Victorian façade for the first time since 1990, using a combination of spray paint and hand painting with brushes.
Some work is required to facilitate the return to two-way traffic, which will be undertaken overnight to minimise disruption. As a result, North Bridge will be closed to traffic between 8pm and 6am from 12 to 20 April.
Lothian Buses will reintroduce northbound services shortly after the reopening of North Bridge. For the most up to date travel information visit the Lothian Buses website.
Pure Chocolate, white chocolate and jelly pasta, strawberry and raspberry coulis with sweet decorations
The Great British Bake Off star Lottie Bedlow has created the world’s first giant chocolate meatball shaped Easter Egg!
Lottie, known for her chocolate desserts, even created pasta made from white chocolate to create the perfect chocoholic dish.
The 33-year-old baker, who appeared in the New Year’s Day special of the popular Channel 4 show teamed up with top Italian American restaurant Frankie & Benny’s to make the unique pure chocolate Easter Egg.
The restaurant is famous for its popular meatballs and wanted to showcase the much loved dish but with an Easter theme.
So they asked Lottie to make a football sized meatball, ten times the size of a normal meatball, made out of pure indulgent chocolate. And the result looks amazing!
The giant chocolate Easter egg took 30 hours to practice and perfect, five hours to make and assemble and comes complete with white chocolate and jelly pasta, a strawberry and raspberry coulis sauce with sweet donations.
And if you pop into Frankie & Benny’s this Easter you are in with a chance to win this amazing chocolate treat.
Lottie said: “I was tasked by Frankie & Benny’s to make a giant meatball complete with spaghetti, they wanted it football size, made of pure chocolate and hollow inside. The first attempt with the mould failed and the balloon technique – absolutely not!
“If you want to be in with a chance of winning my giant meatball Easter Egg all you have to do is head down to your local Frankie & Benny’s, look for a picture of my face, there will be cards on the table, scan the QR code and fill in your details. It’s as simple as that!”
The competition runs until April 16 and the winner will be contacted on April 17.
Be in with a chance to win a one-of-a-kind Frankie’s giant chocolate meatball Easter egg in celebration of the most delicious time of the year!
• All participants may enter this competition from the 20th of March – midnight 16th April 2023 • The prize is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash. • We reserve the right to switch the prize to a prize of equal value. • We reserve the right to amend the terms and conditions of this competition.
To Enter • To enter this prize draw, guest must complete the following steps: • While dining in any of our restaurants, guests will be presented with a QR code on their table. • Once scanned, guest must enter their required details to be placed in the pool of entrants. • A verification email will be sent confirming your entry.
Winner Selection • The winner will be drawn at random from a pool of all valid entries. • Winners will be drawn and contacted on 17th April 2023 • If the winner does not respond with their contact details within 48 hours, Frankie & Benny’s reserves the right to draw a new winner.
Global immersive technology company collaborates with Teapot Trust to create cutting edge VR experience
An exciting collaboration between Edify and Teapot Trust will bring to life the transformative power of art therapy through virtual reality and a fantasy garden.
The partnership between the East Lothian charity and the immersive technology company, with headquarters in both Glasgow and Abu Dhabi, comes as Teapot Trust prepares to host a show garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Teapot Trust is a charity at the forefront of transformative mental health support that provides art therapy to children, young people and their families living with chronic conditions.
The Elsewhere Garden, designed by Scottish Swiss partnership SempleBegg, will showcase at the prestigious gardening event in May this year. The garden represents a child’s imagination as it blossoms in response to the freedom gifted by art therapy and is inspired by Willy Wonka’s factory, Oz and Wonderland.
Edify, a leading-edge tech company that builds innovative immersive technology platforms for learning and teaching is donating its time to the charity to create a virtual reality experience of the garden.
This ground-breaking technology will provide a completely new context for art therapy where children and art therapists can connect, create, and explore in a digital realm. The impact will be far reaching, enabling increased access by overcoming geographical and physical barriers.
By bringing the garden to children (like those in a ward) who cannot physically leave hospital to explore outdoors, it will help them experience the world around them in a new way while introducing vital art therapy themes like increased communication, relaxation techniques, and mental coping mechanisms.
Fergus Bruce, Senior Director at Edifysaid: “Central to Edify’s mission is making the ‘go anywhere, do anything’ superpowers of immersive technology accessible as widely as possible.
“With that in mind, we’re delighted to support the Teapot Trust and the vital work they do by ensuring that the ‘Elsewhere Garden’ can be experienced far beyond RHS Chelsea. We’ll do this by utilising both the Edify platform and the skill of our team to create a virtual experience of the actual garden which keeps its magic accessible and growing long after the event itself.”
Edify and Teapot Trust were introduced through the Scottish Tech Army, a unique volunteer community bringing together tech experts and the third sector for the benefit of people and communities.
Kirsty McIntosh of Scottish Tech Armyadded: “We are delighted to bring the Teapot Trust and Edify together.
“This is a great example of the tech for good ecosystem in action and we are excited to see how this collaboration will support the aims of the charity.”
Sarah Randall, CEO of Teapot Trust said: “The Elsewhere Garden has been created with the most incredible amount of passion, love and nurture so the ability to bring this to life in a virtual reality world to benefit thousands of children and young people who won’t experience the garden in real life is a wonderful opportunity.
“The Edify platform will enable art therapists to join and guide children in a virtual experience while also giving the potential for children within an art therapy group to interact with each other within the digital garden. This is a tremendous asset to have, which is down to the overwhelming generosity and creativity which Edify has brought to the project.”
Art therapy techniques will be incorporated into the experience, with specific plants, views, and sensations being central to art therapy exercises and themes. This safe and controlled experience will help children grow confidence to navigate tech and tech-enabled learning in a fun, playful, and imaginative immersive experience, boosting their confidence and helping them understand that they can overcome barriers in their own lives.
One in four children and young people in the UK live with the pain and stigma of chronic health conditions that cause anxiety and depression. Almost a third of those aged under 21 who take their own lives have a long-term chronic illness.
The charity’s art therapy gives children and young people a release from the burdens of chronic illness allowing them to take some control, to express and process their feelings about their diagnosis, their treatment regime, and the impact of their condition on daily life.
Ear cropping of dogs rose sharply in 2021, Vet Record study finds
A study published in leading veterinary journal Vet Record has found that rates of ear cropping in dogs seen in vet practices in the UK rose sharply in 2021.
In the majority of cases, the dogs had been legally imported from EU countries where the procedure is illegal, igniting renewed calls for action on closing this legislative loophole via the Kept Animals Bill.
The study, Dogs with cropped ears in the UK: A population-based study using electronic health records, has been published in a recent issue (4-11 March 2023) of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) journal.
It found that a total of 132 dogs with cropped ears were seen by vets across a sample size of 500 practices between 2015 and 2022, with numbers peaking in 2021.
The breeds most likely to have cropped ears were the American bulldog, Dobermann, Italian mastiff and bulldog. In more than 60% of the cases, the dogs had been imported from countries where ear cropping is illegal, such as Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Spain, Poland and Ireland.
Ear cropping is an unnecessary, painful mutilation that involves cutting off part of a puppy’s ear flap for cosmetic reasons, often without anaesthesia or pain relief. Sometimes the ears are splinted to make them stand upright.
The practice carries no health or welfare benefits for the dog and is illegal in the UK. However, it remains legal to import and sell dogs with cropped ears, and it’s not a specific offence to send dogs abroad to be cropped.
The increase in rates of ear cropping reported in the Vet Record study was determined to be broadly consistent with data from the RSPCA in a similar period, with 279 cases and a 621% increase in reports of ear cropping made to the charity’s emergency helpline between 2015 and 2020.
Similarly, in BVA’s 2021 Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, six in 10 vets that had seen ear cropping felt the number of dogs with cropped ears they saw in practice had increased over the previous year.
It also found that there is still work to be done to raise awareness among clients that ear cropping is illegal in the UK- while 19% of vets believe most of the owners of dogs with cropped ears they saw were already aware that the mutilation is illegal, 15% said that none of their clients were aware until they reached the practice.
The study’s authors- Lucy J. Norris, Gina L. Pinchbeck, Peter-John M. Noble and Alan D. Radford- used data from electronic health records submitted by veterinary practices participating in the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET).
They acknowledge that the findings of their research are likely just a small snapshot of the true scale of the ear cropping problem*. Figures from the 2022 PDSA PAW Report suggest that the true numbers of dogs imported with cropped ears could be as high as 26,000.
In a commentary accompanying the research, RSPCA Head of Companion Animals Samantha Gaines writes:“The study provides strong evidence to refute arguments for ear cropping to prevent ear infections, as the breed types identified in Norris and colleagues’ study are not generally predisposed to such infections. Rather, this finding adds weight to anecdotal evidence suggesting that the motivation for ear cropping in many dogs is driven by appearance rather than any perceived health benefits.
“It is also possible that some dogs were cropped illegally in the UK using legal importation as a smokescreen for this activity. Indeed, it is the RSPCA’s experience that many dogs stated as being cropped outside of the UK have histories that would make this highly unlikely.”
In an editorial, Vet Record editor-in-chief Suzanne Jarvis said:“This research, together with an accompanying commentary article by Samantha Gaines, offers an insight into the murky, sometimes illegal, circumstances surrounding ear cropping.
“The researchers identified dogs that had had their ears cropped in the UK, despite the procedure being illegal here. There were further cases where it was very difficult to establish when and where the cropping had been done. The worrying thing is that some owners don’t even realise that their dog has been mutilated.
“One solution to the importation problem is proposed in the Kept Animals Bill, which is currently stalled in parliament. Although there could be potential for fraud around grandfather rights initially, a ban on such importations would ultimately mean that the sight of a dog with cropped ears becomes a thing of the past in the UK.”
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Justine Shotton said:”This paper provides further evidence on the concerning rise in ear cropping that vets are seeing in practice. Unsurprisingly, as the study’s authors state, the numbers of cropped dogs seen in this study are not representative of the true UK-wide picture, with that figure expected to me much higher.
“As part of the British Veterinary Association’s #CutTheCrop campaign, we would like to see the government take decisive action to pass the Kept Animals Bill, which will help close the legal loophole that allows the importation of dogs with cropped ears into the UK and acts as a cover for the illegal procedure to be carried out within the country too.”
For more information on BVA’s #CutTheCrop campaign, see:
Scotland’s largest conservation charity has thousands of experiences to share with supporters this spring
Easter trails, the re-opening of the House of the Binns, spring blooms in stunning gardens and new tours are amongst the highlights
The National Trust for Scotland is calling on the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians to protect, share and enjoy nature, beauty and heritage this spring by visiting the places everyone loves in Scotland, such as House of the Binns and Gladstone’s Land, and enjoying thousands of experiences, including events like the Festhailes music festival.
Across Edinburgh and the Lothians this spring, visitors can explore the first signs of the season at Malleny Garden and Inveresk Lodge Garden or admire the architectural grandeur of the magnificently restored Georgian House in Charlotte Square. For the first time since before the pandemic, the historic House of the Binns in Linlithgow opened its doors again on 1 April following an extensive period of repairs and refurbishment to conserve over 400 years of heritage.
Members of the conservation charity enjoy free access to more than 100 places, including Malleny Garden, Georgian House, Inveresk Lodge and Preston Mill.
Events planned for the coming months include tailored tours such as Tables Through Time: Food in Gladstone’s Land, a guided event showcasing the lives of three women that lived and worked in the property on Friday 14 April.
Newhailes is providing visitors with a range of fun-filled events – from the Newhailes Big Top Circus Showcase and circus skills workshop on Saturday 8 and 9 April to Festhailes 2023 music festival on Saturday 13 May, and Doghailes on Sunday 30 July.
More information on the events and tickets can be found on the Trust website.
The National Trust for Scotland’s family Easter Egg Trails are also back this year. Taking place across 32 Trust places throughout the country, including House of the Binns and Newhailes House & Gardens, between Friday 7 and Monday 10 April solve clues hidden around the grounds, before claiming a chocolate treat. With Trail sheets available at each venue for just £4, more information can be found on the Trust website.
Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see just how popular our places proved with people last year, as we all started to recover from the impacts of the global pandemic and the uncertainty that followed.
“It is our charity’s privilege to share Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage with everyone, and we are very grateful to all our supporters who make this possible. By being part of the National Trust for Scotland, they are helping protect, share and enjoy the places where memories are made.
“Over the coming months, we have some exciting projects coming to fruition which will give all our supporters even more experiences to share this spring and summer.”
Following the launch of its 10-year strategy, Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone, in March last year, the National Trust for Scotland has focused on caring for Scotland’s special places, providing access and enjoyment and being a sustainable charity, including restoring and regenerating woodland and peatlands at Mar Lodge Estate, creating sustainable visitor facilities at Corrieshalloch National Nature Reserve and unveiling an innovative new garden at Pitmedden which is adapted for a changing climate.
This work is possible thanks to the support of members and donors.
To support the conservation charity’s work to care for Scotland’s special places, join at www.nts.org.uk. Prices start from £3.20 for those aged 16 to 24, £5.50 for adults and £4.85 per month for those aged 60 and over.
For more information on the National Trust for Scotland, or the events taking place in your area, visit: www.nts.org.uk.
EDINBURGH, UK – 14th February 2022: Sight Scotland community service users meet with staff for a social event at Robertson Avenue. (Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)
Sight Scotland, and its sister charity Sight Scotland Veterans, are calling on the new Frist Minister, Humza Yousaf MSP, to improve inclusivity and accessibility for the vision impaired.
An estimated 180,000 people are currently living in Scotland who are blind or partially sighted, with this number expected to double by 2031 to almost 400,000. People living with vision impairment face a multitude of challenges on a daily basis, including loneliness, isolation, and social exclusion.
If we add in spiralling waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis, and growing problems with accessibility in our towns and cities, it is clear to see that more needs to be done to support people living with sight loss across the country.
Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, comments: “As a former Health Secretary, our new First Minister knows the challenges that are facing healthcare and public health in Scotland.
“You just have to look at the latest ophthalmology waiting times statistics released by Public Health Scotland to realise that the Scottish Government must do better.
“On average 36% of new outpatients had to wait over 16 weeks for eye appointments, a rise of almost 10% in just three months. This number then grows to over 50% in some health boards such as Fife and Lanarkshire.
“People with deteriorating eye conditions just don’t have the time to wait, if ophthalmology waiting times are not improved, many face the very real prospect of permanent damage.
“The cost of living crisis is also hitting the vision impaired community hard. The majority of people living with sight loss already face additional expenses, such as transportation costs, technology assistance costs and support in the home.
“They are also forced to spend a lot more time in their home due to vision loss, which makes fuel poverty a very real threat due to soaring energy bills. This is forcing many to cut back on essentials such as food, heating and electricity, which is having a terrible impact on both their physical and mental health.
“The Scottish Government must address the growing problems of accessibility in Scotland. More streets in Scotland are being transformed to give priority to active travel, but unfortunately there are many instances where these new layouts are dangerous for visually impaired people.
“Issues centring around cycle paths with no kerbs, floating bus stops and staggered zebra crossings, are causing real safety concerns. Meaningful engagement with communities is key to this so that their lived experience can inform plans that meet the needs of everyone.”
EDINBURGH, UK – 14th February 2022: Sight Scotland community service users meet with staff for a social event at Robertson Avenue. (Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)
Spalding adds: “We are looking forward to working alongside the new Scottish Government to help address many of these issues and to develop further the new See Hear strategy and the National Low Vision service.
“We welcomed the launch of the new eyes.scot website, and the reestablishment of the Graduate Diploma in Low Vision Rehabilitation course at Strathclyde University which is a step in the right direction to ensuring more people with visual impairment have access to specialist support to lead independent day to day lives.
“A new First Minister and Cabinet present a real opportunity to address these challenges. We welcome the chance to work even closer together to ensure the needs of people living with sight loss are at the top of the agenda.”
For more information about the activity groups please visit:
FROM DALMALLY TO MALAWI: The champion runner is asking people to clock up miles this April to raise funds for Mary’s Meals
Scottish long-distance running champion Eilish McColgan, who broke the British half-marathon record at the weekend, is calling on people to help feed hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries by signing up to Mary’s Meals’ new fundraising challenge, From Dalmally to Malawi.
Founded 20 years ago in a shed in Argyll, Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 countries including Malawi, Kenya and Syria. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future.
Eilish, who is currently training for this April’s London Marathon, says: “As a sportsperson, I am really passionate about helping people to enjoy keeping fit. That’s why I’m delighted to support Mary’s Meals’ new active challenge, From Dalmally to Malawi.
“There’s still time to sign up and help feed children in some of the world’s poorest communities. All you need to do is pledge to complete a number of miles in April and ask friends and family for sponsorship.
By signing up to the challenge, Scots will take part in a virtual journey from Dalmally, the village in the Highlands of Scotland where Mary’s Meals was founded, to Malawi, where the charity served its first life-changing school meals.
From walking, to running, to swimming – participants can take part in From Dalmally To Malawi in any way they choose. The money raised through sponsorship will help to feed desperately hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We’re really grateful to Eilish for going the extra mile for Mary’s Meals, and backing our new fundraising challenge.
“However many miles you pledge, taking part in From Dalmally to Malawi allows you to follow the Mary’s Meals journey while helping us to reach the next hungry child. I hope as many people as possible join us this April!”
People signing up to the challenge will receive a free Mary’s Meals T-shirt and will be invited to join an exclusive online community, where they’ll receive inspirational video messages and stories from Mary’s Meals.
By taking part, people in Scotland will be helping children like Exton from Malawi. Thanks to Mary’s Meals, he eats a mug of vitamin-enriched porridge every day that fills his empty stomach and gives him energy to learn.
Exton says: “I come to school knowing that I will find food. Mary’s Meals gives me joy and happiness and that helps me to pass with flying colours in class.”
Vet warns about top Easter traditions that aren’t pet friendly
Easter is a fun time full of celebrations for the whole family, and it’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your pet but it’s important to be aware of the dangers that pose a threat to our beloved furry friends at this time of year.
On average, April sees a 54 per cent increase in dogs being poisoned by chocolate* compared to other times of the year, making it the second highest month for claims after the Christmas period.
To ensure Easter is a happy and safe time for you and your pet, Bella & Duke’s Chief Veterinary Consultant, Brendan Clarkelists his 5 top tips for making Easter safe for your pet, including which easter foods and springtime plants they should be avoiding.
Easter eggs and chocolate treats
Easter eggs and other chocolate treats are a definite no for pets. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine which is toxic and really difficult for dogs and cats to metabolise. The level of toxicity depends on the darkness and concentration of the cacao, so a quality 85% dark chocolate is going to be much more toxic than one milk chocolate M&M but giving any type of chocolate to pets must be avoided. If you want to get your pet involved in the annual easter egg hunt, why not opt for some scrumptious venison treats.
2. Hot cross buns
Hot cross buns contain dried fruit such as raisins and sultanas, both of which are toxic to dogs and cats and can cause kidney damage. It’s important you ensure these are kept out of reach from your pet as even small quantities can cause a lot of damage.
Spring bulbs and flowers
Easter is beautiful time of year with spring flowers and bulbs in full bloom, but make sure you keep them well out of reach of your furry friend, particularly if they’re prone to chewing plants or digging up the garden.
Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and amaryllis are all common spring plants that are poisonous to both cats and dogs. They can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and other dangerous side effects. It’s always really important to keep an eye on your dog to make sure it’s not eating anything nasty out on walks
Lilies, including Asiatic lilies and daylilies, can be harmful to both dogs and cats, however the consequences are far more severe in cats. The flowers, leaves, pollen (which may easily attach to your cat’s fur and then be mistakenly swallowed through the grooming process) are all deadly. Even the water from a vase holding lilies, if consumed, can be potentially lethal. Make sure if you receive any flower bouquets this spring, that they are well out of reach of your pets.
4. Easter basket fillers and decorations
When gifting or receiving easter baskets, it can be tempting to let pets play with plastic grass and straw and tissue, but they can be easily swallowed and often lead to digestive issues, resulting in vomiting, bloating and dehydration. Always keep decorations and gifts out of reach and use pet-friendly toys instead.
5. Spring Cleaning
If you’re using Easter to tidy up the house with a bit of spring cleaning, it’s important to remember that many cleaning products can be dangerous to pets.
Common household cleaning products such as heavily scented disinfectants, bleach and laundry detergent are toxic and should be kept safely away from pets.
If you’re doing a spring clean, it’s a great opportunity to give your pet’s belongings a deep clean to remove dirt, hair, and bacteria, using pet-friendly products.
Brendan Clarke, Chief Veterinary Consultant at Bella & Duke said: “Easter can be such a fun time for the whole family, including our pets too. We all like to treat ourselves to festive treats such as easter eggs and hot cross buns, but it’s really important we know what’s good and bad for our pets’ health.
“The safest bet is to make sure easter chocolate is not left in reach of your pets, stick to raw food and natural treats for easter egg hunts and always be alert when out and about on spring walks.”
