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Think twice before gifting bunnies for Easter

As you're planning gifts for Easter, bunnies and chicks might need to stay off the list.

CLEVELAND -- As you're planning gifts for Easter, bunnies and chicks might need to stay off the list.

They're expensive pets that need a lot of attention and special dietary options, plus a child's short attention span might leave you with the responsibility of re-homing the animal.

Stephanie Lodge from the Buckeye House Rabbit Society said people will typically surrender a bunny months after getting one.

"A lot of people think that rabbits are good starter pets, that they're going to be low maintenance, they will be less effort than a cat or a dog when it's the exact opposite," Lodge said. "They require a lot of attention, they are very social creatures so they want to be part of the family."

The average cost of a rabbit is $8,000. A stuffed bunny or chocolate costs significantly less.

As far as other pets in the house, Easter can be dangerous for them as well.

From the Cleveland APL, here are some tips that will help you keep your pets safe this holiday weekend:

- Keep chocolates out of reach. This time of year, we’ve all made the trip to get chocolate eggs and bunnies. Just be sure to keep those treats away from the four-legged members of your family as they can seriously harm your pets. Don’t forget to check if your chocolate contains raisins, macadamia nuts, alcohol or xylitol – all things that should be kept away from your pets.

- Clean up plastic Easter grass. They’re a common staple in Easter baskets and although they may not be toxic for your pets, plastic grass could still get lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive track, causing them to choke or vomit.

- Be aware of what type of plants you have. Beware of bulbs that can cause gastrointestinal upset. Cat owners should avoid lilies, which could cause severe toxicosis and acute kidney injury.

- Keep an eye on pets while fertilizing your plants. Many fertilizers contain things that pets, especially dogs, find delicious, like corn cobs, bone meal or fish meal. But they may also contain herbicides or insecticides. This can cause muscle stiffness or soreness after eating, or in the worst cases could cause tremors and seizures. Make sure to keep your pets inside when treatments are being done and that it is completely dry before they go out again.

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