Valentine’s Day is coming up fast. This sweet lovers’ holiday is a welcome bright spot in the middle of winter. Many people also choose to share their celebrations with their pets, typically either by getting them special treats or new toys, or perhaps simply taking cute photos of them with some holiday trappings. We love seeing adorable pictures of our patients! However, like any other holiday, Valentine’s Day presents some specific risks and dangers to our furry friends. A local vet offers some advice on Valentine’s Day pet safety in this article.
Don’t Give Pets Chocolate
Chocolate typically makes the top spot in the list of dangers, and it isn’t hard to see why. Don’t get us wrong: we love chocolate as much as anyone else. However, it’s never safe for pets.
The culprit here is a substance called theobromine. It’s harmless to humans. Pets can’t metabolize it properly, though. It doesn’t take very much to cause serious problems, either. In fact, it only takes about one ounce per pound of a pet’s body weight to comprise a fatal dose.
While no chocolate is safe, some are worse than others. Theobromine is present in cacao, so the most dangerous chocolates are the ones with the highest percentage of cocoa. Dark chocolate is the worst in this regard, though milk and white chocolates are also unsafe.
Symptoms of chocolate ingestion in dogs and cats include the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased Urination
- Excessive Thirst
- Restlessness
- Fast Breathing
- Elevated Heart Rate
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Fever
- Coma
These things can be signs of a variety of health issues, all of which require veterinary care. Contact your vet or a pet poison control center immediately if you know or suspect that your pet has ingested chocolate or any other toxic substance.
Keep Candies Out Of Paw’s Reach
Candies are a big part of those sweet celebrations. It’s probably safe to say that those little candy hearts with the cute messages aren’t going away anytime soon. Just keep that candy bowl in a spot your pet can’t get to.
There are a few hazards here. We’ve already addressed chocolate above. That isn’t the only concern. Anything small is a potential choking hazard. Many of those little candy pieces are the right size to choke a playful pet.
On top of that, many sweets are made with xylitol, which is toxic to our animal companions. Sugar isn’t exactly great for Fluffy and Fido, either. Some of those smaller candies may also contain nuts. Some nuts, such as macadamia, are poisonous to pets. Plastic wrappers can also be dangerous: plastic is not only a huge choking risk, but it can also cause internal issues if swallowed.
No Bouquets For The Furry Ones
Flowers usually aren’t going to be the biggest worry when it comes to keeping your pet safe, but there are definitely some concerns. While many flowers are safe, there are a few that are extremely toxic.
Lilies are the biggest concern here for cats. Fluffy doesn’t have to ingest much to get very sick. Even taking a few nibbles of a leaf or having a sip of the water is enough to cause severe—and potentially fatal—organ damage in kitties.
Here are a few other poisonous plants and flowers:
- Tulips
- Amaryllis
- Autumn Crocus
- Cyclamen
- Lily
- Aloe
- Oleander
- Dieffenbachia
- Widow’s-Thrill
- Sago Palm
- Daffodils
- Rhododendron
- Hyacinth
- Narcissus (Daffodils)
- Chrysanthemum
- English Ivy
- Bird Of Paradise
- Foxglove
- Philodendron
The ASPCA has a much more extensive list of both safe and unsafe plants here. Keep in mind that even plants that are usually safe can become toxic if treated with chemicals. Small decorations are another concern. Finally, even nontoxic vines, leaves, and thorns can be choking hazards. Pets—particularly cats—can also injure themselves by pulling heavy plants down onto themselves.
Play it safe and keep that bouquet away from your pet!
Be Careful With Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals are a very popular gift from Cupid. The stores tend to fill up with cute teddy bears and other trappings at this time of year. There are a few possible pitfalls for pet owners here as well.
If you have a dog, you may have noticed that our canine companions are often very, very interested in plushies. There is a reason for this: they remind Fido of the small critters he would hunt in the wild. Unfortunately, many plushies are actually quite dangerous for dogs.
One issue is the stuffing. It’s not safe or meant for pets to eat, and can choke Fido or cause intestinal blockages. On top of that, many stuffed animals have small pieces, such as plastic eyes or buttons, which are choking hazards. Ribbons are another concern.
Don’t Share The Wine
Candlelit dinners are a Valentine’s Day staple for many couples, and wine is a natural fit for the menu. Just don’t let your furry pal imbibe. Even small amounts of alcohol can make your pet very sick!
Don’t Play With Fire
Speaking of candles, that’s another thing to be cautious of. Candles should always be kept in high, secure spots, well away from curious paws and noses. It’s also very easy for Fido to smack one over with a happy tail wag, or for Fluffy to accidentally stick her tail into a flame.
You’ll also need to take some precautions if you have a fireplace. Use a grate to make sure your pet can’t get too close or worse, accidentally fall in.
Cards Need A Second Glance
Cards are probably the least concerning item on the list. However, keep in mind that the ones that make noise or light up contain small batteries, which are definitely not something that you would want your pet to eat! If you are getting fun cards that are a bit extra in that way, display them in safe spots, where your pet can’t reach.
Don’t Forget The Fix
Valentine’s Day is not just to celebrate our romantic partners, but also our families and loved ones. However, the romantic element makes this the perfect time to talk about the importance of getting your furry best friend fixed. There’s nothing romantic about pet overpopulation, or the fact that animal shelters struggle to keep up with the numbers of puppies and kittens going through their doors.
There are also behavioral benefits. Pets that have been fixed tend to be both calmer and sweeter than intact ones. Your four-legged friend will also be much less interested in running off looking for love. (Bonus: you’ll be spared the sound of your pet’s amorous love songs. Apparently, other cats find the sound of Fluffy’s caterwauling appealing. It’s not exactly music to human ears.)
If you haven’t scheduled this appointment yet, we recommend you do that as soon as possible. Contact your vet today!
Conclusion: Valentine’s Day is a fun and sweet holiday, but there are some things for pet owners to be concerned about. Chocolate, for example, is very toxic to pets. Other concerns include bouquets, candles, stuffed animals, wine, candies, and even cards. Just take a few precautions to keep your animal companion out of harm’s way.
Make An Appointment At Our Pet Hospital
Happy Valentine’s Day! If you are looking for a great animal clinic in the area, go ahead and give us a call. As your local pet clinic, we are always happy to help!
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