East Yorkshire vet on why you should take your dog on an Easter ‘sniffari’

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The holiday weekend is ideal for a ‘pet health reset’

An East Yorkshire pet food company vet is urging dog owners to use the Easter weekend for a ‘pet health reset’

1. As the first signs of spring emerge, it is the natural time to refresh our routines. But while we might be reaching for the running shoes or the spring cleaning products this Easter weekend, an East Yorkshire vet is reminding pet owners that the best way to invest in our pets’ health this season is not through the treat jar.
2. Showing “extra love” can lead to accidental overfeeding, a growing concern for pet health. Dr Suzanne Moyes, in-house vet at Burgess Pet Care, of Pollington, near Goole, says owners should focus on seasonal enrichment instead, offering ways to spring-clean your pets’ habits.
3. Swap the bowl for savouring the spring scents instead – do not just clean the food bowl, ditch it occasionally. Use the Easter weekend to break the “bowl habit” and start a new enrichment routine.
4. For dogs, take them on a “sniffari” – a walk where they lead the way and sniff at their own pace. With new plants blooming and wildlife active, the world smells different now.
5. For small animals, try “scatter feeding” in fresh hay or cardboard tunnels. It encourages natural foraging behaviours.
6. Declutter the toy box and use brain games. We often overlook old toys that no longer challenge our pets; this Easter, rotate their toy selection to keep things fresh.
7. Play the brain game by hiding high-quality food around the house or roll it into a dry towel. Puzzle feeders keep boredom at bay and turn mealtime into a rewarding game that mimics natural hunting and foraging.
8. Turn your grooming session into a spring health reset. While brushing, perform a “top-to-tail” check – feel for new lumps or bumps; inspect paw pads for irritation; check that ears are clean and eyes are bright.
9. It is easy for “just one more” biscuit to become a habit over the winter. This Easter, implement the 10 per cent rule where edible treats should never exceed 10 per cent of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
10. Dr Moyes said: “Avoid feeding scraps left over from your own dinner or Easter Sunday roast. Human food doesn’t contain the essential nutrients dogs need in the right amounts, and many ingredients—like onions, garlic, or certain seasonings—are toxic to canines.”
11. With spring in the air, it is an ideal time to remind rabbit owners about adding safe, fresh seasonal greens to their rabbits’ diets. Alongside plenty of feeding hay and a measured amount of nuggets, fresh greens, including carrot tops, Romaine lettuce, mint, dill and watercress, can help add variety and enrichment.
12. “Pets have five core welfare needs,” Dr Moyes said, “the right environment, nutrition, companionship, opportunity to behave naturally, and protection from harm.”
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