Valentine's Day Safety Tips for Your Pets

Valentine’s Day Safety Tips for Your Pets

February 5, 2021

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning a romantic evening for you and your loved one! All of the pet owners out there need to be careful while they’re planning and celebrating, though. Valentine’s Day is associated with quite a few things that can hurt your furry friends. Follow our advice on pet care in Saint Francisville, LA to ensure your pets are safe and sound this Valentine’s Day.

Chocolates

The phrase “death by chocolate” shouldn’t be taken lightly when you have furry friends running around your home! The methylxanthines in chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and elevated heart rates in our pets. Light chocolates that are high in fat can also lead to life-threatening pancreas inflammations. If you’re going to be wooing your loved one with chocolates this Valentine’s Day, don’t leave them lying around on the floor or anywhere your pets might be able to reach them.

Candies

Unfortunately, chocolate isn’t the only Valentine’s Day treat that’s bad for your pets. If dogs or cats ingest candies sweetened with xylitol, they can suffer from a sudden drop in blood sugar. In the worst-case scenario, this rapid blood sugar drop results in depression, loss of coordination or seizures. Again, it’s best practice to keep all treats and candies off the ground and out of reach.

Alcohol

A glass of wine and a box of chocolates go hand in hand, especially on Valentine’s Day! But you’ll want to be careful drinking alcohol when you have pets in your home. Since they’re so small, even a little bit of alcohol can have severe health repercussions on an animal. Vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing or even a coma are all possible if your pet gets into your alcohol. Keep all glasses off the floor and clean spills immediately to avoid these issues.

Flowers

If you’re sending flowers to a loved one with a cat, ensure that the bouquet doesn’t contain any lilies, tulips, English ivy or other plant that’s harmful to pets. There are tons of ordinary-looking plants out there that can result in vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy if they’re ingested. You can obtain a full list of dangerous plants from your veterinarian if you’re unsure which flowers are deadly for cats and dogs.

Candles

Set the mood by lighting some candles or starting a fire in the fireplace, but be sure to keep your pets away from the flames to ensure proper pet care in Saint Francisville, LA this Valentine’s Day. Never leave a candle unattended when your pets are in the room, as curious cats and dogs are likely to burn themselves or knock over the candle and start a fire.

Planning a romantic evening? Consider boarding your pet!

If you and your loved one are planning a special evening at home, consider boarding your pet with our pros at St. Francisville Animal Hospital. When you board your pet, you can rest easy knowing that your furry friend will be safe and comfortable all night long while you enjoy your romantic evening. Contact us today to get a quote for an overnight stay or to learn more about how we can assist with pet care in Saint Francisville, LA.

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