Guide to a Pet-Friendly Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and is a day to spend with your loved ones and of course that includes your pets! It is important to make certain items are out of paw's reach. Please take our advise and don't leave the goodies lying around on the day of love.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Keep your pets away from roses or thorny stemmed flowers. Stepping, biting or swallowing their sharp spoons can cause punctures or serious infections. It is easy to drop a flower on the ground while you are arranging a beautiful bouquet for your loved one. You may also think about de-thorning your roses, away from your pets, as an extra precaution.

Wrapped with Love
Tape, ribbons, wrapping paper, balloons and bows can be a recipe for disaster. If one of those long, stringy items is swalled it could get lodged in your pets digestive track or throat and cause cause choking or vomiting. So keep these out of reach of your pets.

Forbidden Chocolate
Chocolate can be potentially life-threatening to pets including baker's, semi sweet, milk and dark chocolate. Inflammation of the pancreas in high-fat content lighter chocolates can be potentially life-threatening. Darker chocolates contain caffeine like stimulants that can affect the neurologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiac functions. They can also cause hyperactivity, seizures, vomiting/diarrhea, and an abnormally elevated heart rate. Keep the chocolate away from the chow-hounds.

Playing with Fire
Curious pooches and pawing kittens can burn themselves easily and can start a fire easily if candles are left unattended. Make sure to put the fire out before you leave the room.

Pet-Safe Bouquets
Lilies are potentially fatal to cats. If you plan on sending a floral arrangement do some digging to see if this person has cat's. If so rethink your floral arrangement, most florists are pretty good with floral arrangements for pet friendly homes. Use an online toxic plant library to see what is safe for a pet friendly house. 

Your pet is there for you, rain or shine so make sure you treat them right and keep a safety check on all these above items. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your pet!