How To Throw An Easter Egg Hunt For Your Dog

Easter bunny, step aside: Meet the Easter Puppy.

We love to involve our precious dogs in our holiday celebrations. When Thanksgiving rolls around, we're thinking about how our dogs can participate in the feast (hint: keep Fido away from the pumpkin pie), and Easter is no exception. Some families dress their dogs up in bunny ears, but why not plan a more interactive activity to share with your dog? Easter egg hunts are already one of our favorite holiday rituals—and now we have a way for you to get Fido in on the fun.

All it takes is a few hard-boiled eggs or treat-filled plastic eggs hidden in the lawn to create an afternoon of fun for your dog. Here are a few guidelines to throwing a paw-sitively fun (and safe) dog Easter egg hunt.

1. Keep The Eggs All-Natural.

Cooked eggs are actually very good for dogs—they're full of protein and amino acids—so you can hide some hard-boiled eggs in your lawn and let Fido go sniffing. Just remember that dogs are susceptible to Salmonella too, so keep the eggs refrigerated before the hunt and don't leave them outdoors for more than two hours. Also, use a non-toxic dye or skip the dye altogether for your pup's egg hunt, and remember that there's a limit to how many eggs your dog should eat in a day. One or two may be enough.

2. When Using Plastic Eggs, Proceed With Caution.

You can still use traditional plastic Easter eggs for your dog's hunt—this tactic is actually a great way to smell-train your dog—but you'll want to ensure your dog doesn't eat any of the plastic eggs, which can be very dangerous if they crack. Instead of candy, hide a strongly scented, dog-friendly treat inside the plastic eggs. When your dog sniffs them out, pop the plastic eggs open for him and reward him with the treat. You can also make this a training exercise and reward your dog with an extra treat each time he brings you an egg and waits patiently for you to open it.

To limit the likelihood of an accident, the American Kennel Club recommends using plastic eggs large enough that they can't be swallowed whole. If your dog tends to chomp on everything before you can intervene, fill some chew-safe Kongs instead.

3. Keep Your Dog On Leash.

This will give your dog a little room to roam, but it will also help you ensure he doesn't eat anything he's not supposed to. Nobody wants to end Easter Sunday with a trip to the vet because Fido swallowed a plastic egg.

4. Keep The Chocolate Far, Far Away.

Chocolate eggs are a staple of the Easter holiday, but as you probably know, chocolate can be life-threatening for dogs. The same goes for xylitol, an ingredient often found in sugar-free gums and candies. To be safe, conduct your kids' egg hunt separately to eliminate any possibility of a treat mixup. Let the kids snack on their chocolate eggs indoors, far away from Fido's reach. And search carefully for any leftover treats or wrappers that may have been abandoned in the garden.

5. Make It A Party.

You can invite a few other neighborhood dogs to turn your little hunt into a doggie meet up. The more, the merrier—but know your dog's limitations. Some dogs dislike competition when it comes to food, and misunderstandings can happen. Dogs should remain on leash, and you may need to give each pet a turn to hunt on its own.

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