Guide to a Pet-Safe Valentine’s Day
Fuzzy valentines around the world will take part in our celebrations of love at home this February 14. Admit it, even if you want them around, the more you try to shoo them off, the more they will want to hang out with you and your sweetie. There are several things we need to be aware of when it comes to their safety, but I want to point out three that are more likely to surface this week.
Two Valentine hazards to be aware of are chocolate and lilies. In the week prior to Valentine’s Day 2008, cases involving chocolate ingestion increased by 74%—a number comparable only to cases seen during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Here are some helpful tips I got of the ASPCA website.
- When sending a floral arrangement, request that it contain no lilies, as all species within the plant genera Lilium are toxic to cats. And please de-thorn your roses, as their sharp, woody spines can hurt your pet if chewed, stepped on or swallowed.
- Stow chocolates (any candy) in paw-proof drawers and cabinets. The darker the chocolate, the more likely a pet who’s ingested it will suffer vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an elevated heart rate.
- Spilled wine is nothing to cry over—until a curious pet laps it up. Because animals are smaller than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing vomiting, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing and even coma.
- Gather up tape, ribbons, cellophane and balloons after you open presents—long, stringy and “fun-to-chew” items can get lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive tract.
As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic substance, contact your veterinarian or the APCC’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
