Us pet owners have fallen in love with those beloved furry faces, soulful
eyes, and wet noses. Since Valentine's Day
is all about spending time with those you love, it's only natural that many of us
want to include our pets. By all means, indulge in a romantic night with your (human)
sweetheart as well ... at the same time, here's how to keep your pets safe, while also
indulging them in their version of a special day.
Many pet owners already know that chocolate can be potentially life-threatening to pets. Ingestion can cause diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and can even be fatal. Keep chocolates safely hidden. The same goes for candies, gum, and other treats, which are sometimes sweetened with a substance called xylitol, which is also toxic to pets. Some pets are skilled counter-surfers, so make sure these delicious treats are securely stashed! A cabinet lock can help prevent pets from accessing treats stored inside.
Many pets love to wrestle or play with the gift-wrap. Supervise them at all times, then carefully gather up all the wrapping paper, ribbon, string, bows, tape, balloons, etc... and safely discard them. Ingestion of these types of items can present a choking hazard or can cause an intestinal blockage. No one wants to face the stress of a sick pet or unexpected vet bills, especially for what was supposed to be a fun day.
Flowers are another common gift on Valentine's Day. If you're giving a bouquet to another pet owner, request that they exclude certain plants that are dangerous to pets, like the favourite lilies and tulips. If you've received a bouquet, you may want to remove any dangerous flowers you recognize as well as keep the bouquet safely out-of-reach of pets. Familiarize yourself with the signs of poisoning in pets.
Thorny flowers, such as roses, should also be kept away from pets. A florist will typically de-thorn flowers... but if you're doing your own, do the task far away from your pets and promptly clean up and discard the thorns. An accidental prick can be painful and lead to infection. Plus taking your pet to the veterinarian probably isn't the way you wanted to spend Valentine's Day.
The ambiance of softly-glowing candles or a cozy fire is hard to beat. Inquisitive noses and paws can find fires intriguing as well. Pets can accidentally knock over candles, creating a fire hazard; or accidentally burn a curious paw or inquisitive nose. Supervise pets or prevent them from accessing the room.
You might have been thinking about adding another furry friend to your life recently. Maybe you feel that Valentine's Day is just a good a time to meet and adopt another pet.
It's another thing entirely to decide that your lonely friend or family member could use a pet to cheer them up. A pet is a very big commitment - one that's not easily re-packaged and re-gifted! Even if you know the person loves animals, it doesn't mean they're willing or able to commit to having a pet. Instead, give a gift certificate so that they can choose a pet of their own if and when they're ready.
Pets love nothing more than to be with those they love. Here are a few ways you can show your four-legged friend some extra love this Valentine's Day.
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