Although Valentine’s Day is all about flowers, chocolates, and many other sweet things, some of these elements may impose a health risk for your pets if you’re not careful. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the potential risks and learn how to incorporate Valentine’s Day pet safety measures. Only then you can be sure your canine and feline companions are safe.
What should I do to keep my pet safe on Valentine’s Day?
Since you enjoy everything this day represents, you probably fail to realize that some things can seriously harm your pets. So, learning about Valentine’s Day pet safety is essential to protecting and keeping them healthy. Here are some of the most common dangers you need to be aware of:
- Chocolates
The most usual gift for Valentine’s is a box of delightful chocolates. While you enjoy their sweet and delicious taste, they can be highly toxic for your pets. Many chocolates contain nuts, liquor, and xylitol. These ingredients can put the health of our pets in danger. Moreover, hard chocolates can impose a potential choking risk. Even though they look so small and harmless, they can be fatal for your tiny companions.
- Bouquets and flowers
Apart from chocolates, you will likely receive some gorgeous flower bouquets this Valentine’s day. While not all flowers are harmful, some types, such as lilies, endanger pets – especially cats. So, before you buy a bouquet for your loved one, make sure it is pet-safe.
- Candles
While candles are ideal for creating a romantic ambiance, they often spark your pets’ curiosity. So, if you intend to enjoy a romantic atmosphere, ensure you surround them with a decorative lantern or a glass cover. Or, ideally, use battery-operated ones.
- Valentine’s decorations
Decorations/wrappers are quite common on Valentine’s Day. After unwrapping gifts, collect any tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane, and balloons. If your pet accidentally swallows these long and stringy items, they can get stuck in their throat or digestive system. This can later lead to choking or vomiting, so you would like to avoid that at all costs.
Some Valentine’s Day pet toxicities you probably haven’t thought of
When it comes to incorporating Valentine’s Day pet safety, it happens that you oversee something. No matter how careful you are, you must double-check the items you leave around your home. Even if you remembered to toss away the wrappers and safely store the candles, you might have forgotten to tidy up something else, such as a bottle of wine and glasses. So, here’s what you need to be aware of:
- Beverages containing alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are frequently drunk around Valentine’s. But exposing your pets to the possibility of them trying alcohol is not recommended, as even a small amount can be toxic to them. This can cause a range of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, coma.
To ensure safety when consuming alcoholic beverages at home, take these precautions:
- keep pets in a separate area with toys or puzzles
- keep alcohol out of reach
- clean up spills promptly
- consider enjoying non-alcoholic drinks instead
Understanding Valentine’s Day pet safety is a must if you want to keep your furry companions safe. You deserve to enjoy the holiday peacefully while ensuring your pet isn’t exposed to any risks. We hope that our tips will help you celebrate this holiday stress-free!
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