Valentine’s Day isn’t just a time for showing love to our human companions—it’s also crucial to ensure the safety of our furry friends. Our pets, who often explore the world with their noses and mouths, can easily encounter hazards amidst the festivities. Chocolates and certain flowers, staples of Valentine’s celebrations, pose serious risks to pets. As we embrace the spirit of love, implementing Valentine’s Day safety tips for pets is key to avoiding emergency visits to the vet. This guide will cover essential precautions every pet owner should know, from selecting pet-safe treats to understanding which decorations and gifts could be harmful. Ensuring a safe environment will keep the day joyful for everyone in the household, including our four-legged family members.
Valentine’s Day is coming up fast. This sweet lovers’ holiday is a welcome bright spot in the middle of winter. Many people also choose to share their celebrations with their pets, typically either by getting them special treats or new toys, or perhaps simply taking cute photos of them with some holiday trappings. We love seeing adorable pictures of our patients! However, like any other holiday, Valentine’s Day presents some specific risks and dangers to our furry friends. A local vet offers some advice on Valentine’s Day pet safety in this article.
Don’t Give Pets Chocolate
Chocolate typically makes the top spot in the list of dangers, and it isn’t hard to see why. Don’t get us wrong: we love chocolate as much as anyone else. However, it’s never safe for pets.
The culprit here is a substance called theobromine. It’s harmless to humans. Pets can’t metabolize it properly, though. It doesn’t take very much to cause serious problems, either. In fact, it only takes about one ounce per pound of a pet’s body weight to comprise a fatal dose.
While no chocolate is safe, some are worse than others. Theobromine is present in cacao, so the most dangerous chocolates are the ones with the highest percentage of cocoa. Dark chocolate is the worst in this regard, though milk and white chocolates are also unsafe.
Symptoms of chocolate ingestion in dogs and cats include the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased Urination
- Excessive Thirst
- Restlessness
- Fast Breathing
- Elevated Heart Rate
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Fever
- Coma
These things can be signs of a variety of health issues, all of which require veterinary care. Contact your vet or a pet poison control center immediately if you know or suspect that your pet has ingested chocolate or any other toxic substance.
Keep Candies Out Of Paw’s Reach
Candies are a big part of those sweet celebrations. It’s probably safe to say that those little candy hearts with the cute messages aren’t going away anytime soon. Just keep that candy bowl in a spot your pet can’t get to.
There are a few hazards here. We’ve already addressed chocolate above. That isn’t the only concern. Anything small is a potential choking hazard. Many of those little candy pieces are the right size to choke a playful pet.
On top of that, many sweets are made with xylitol, which is toxic to our animal companions. Sugar isn’t exactly great for Fluffy and Fido, either. Some of those smaller candies may also contain nuts. Some nuts, such as macadamia, are poisonous to pets. Plastic wrappers can also be dangerous: plastic is not only a huge choking risk, but it can also cause internal issues if swallowed.
No Bouquets For The Furry Ones
Flowers usually aren’t going to be the biggest worry when it comes to keeping your pet safe, but there are definitely some concerns. While many flowers are safe, there are a few that are extremely toxic.
Lilies are the biggest concern here for cats. Fluffy doesn’t have to ingest much to get very sick. Even taking a few nibbles of a leaf or having a sip of the water is enough to cause severe—and potentially fatal—organ damage in kitties.
Here are a few other poisonous plants and flowers:
- Tulips
- Amaryllis
- Autumn Crocus
- Cyclamen
- Lily
- Aloe
- Oleander
- Dieffenbachia
- Widow’s-Thrill
- Sago Palm
- Daffodils
- Rhododendron
- Hyacinth
- Narcissus (Daffodils)
- Chrysanthemum
- English Ivy
- Bird Of Paradise
- Foxglove
- Philodendron
The ASPCA has a much more extensive list of both safe and unsafe plants here. Keep in mind that even plants that are usually safe can become toxic if treated with chemicals. Small decorations are another concern. Finally, even nontoxic vines, leaves, and thorns can be choking hazards. Pets—particularly cats—can also injure themselves by pulling heavy plants down onto themselves.
Ensure Valentine’s Day safety for pets by keeping bouquets out of their reach!
Be Careful With Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals are a very popular gift from Cupid. The stores tend to fill up with cute teddy bears and other trappings at this time of year. There are a few possible pitfalls for pet owners here as well.
If you have a dog, you may have noticed that our canine companions are often very, very interested in plushies. There is a reason for this: they remind Fido of the small critters he would hunt in the wild. Unfortunately, many plushies are actually quite dangerous for dogs.
One issue is the stuffing. It’s not safe or meant for pets to eat, and can choke Fido or cause intestinal blockages. On top of that, many stuffed animals have small pieces, such as plastic eyes or buttons, which are choking hazards. Ribbons are another concern.
Don’t Share The Wine
Candlelit dinners are a Valentine’s Day staple for many couples, and wine is a natural fit for the menu. Just don’t let your furry pal imbibe. Even small amounts of alcohol can make your pet very sick!
Don’t Play With Fire
Speaking of candles, that’s another thing to be cautious of. Candles should always be kept in high, secure spots, well away from curious paws and noses. It’s also very easy for Fido to smack one over with a happy tail wag, or for Fluffy to accidentally stick her tail into a flame.
You’ll also need to take some precautions if you have a fireplace. Use a grate to make sure your pet can’t get too close or worse, accidentally fall in.
Cards Need A Second Glance
Cards are probably the least concerning item on the list. However, keep in mind that the ones that make noise or light up contain small batteries, which are definitely not something that you would want your pet to eat! If you are getting fun cards that are a bit extra in that way, display them in safe spots, where your pet can’t reach.
Don’t Forget The Fix
Valentine’s Day is not just to celebrate our romantic partners, but also our families and loved ones. However, the romantic element makes this the perfect time to talk about the importance of getting your furry best friend fixed. There’s nothing romantic about pet overpopulation, or the fact that animal shelters struggle to keep up with the numbers of puppies and kittens going through their doors.
There are also behavioral benefits. Pets that have been fixed tend to be both calmer and sweeter than intact ones. Your four-legged friend will also be much less interested in running off looking for love. (Bonus: you’ll be spared the sound of your pet’s amorous love songs. Apparently, other cats find the sound of Fluffy’s caterwauling appealing. It’s not exactly music to human ears.)
If you haven’t scheduled this appointment yet, we recommend you do that as soon as possible. Contact your vet today!
Conclusion: Valentine’s Day is a fun and sweet holiday, but there are some things for pet owners to be concerned about. Chocolate, for example, is very toxic to pets. Other concerns include bouquets, candles, stuffed animals, wine, candies, and even cards. Just take a few precautions to keep your animal companion out of harm’s way.
Valentine’s Day 2025: Safety Tips for Celebrating with Pets
What are safe alternatives to celebrate Valentine’s Day with pets?
Celebrating Valentine’s Day safely with pets can involve offering them pet-friendly treats and engaging them in special playtime activities. Instead of chocolate or candies, which are hazardous, consider treats specifically formulated for pets, ensuring they’re free from xylitol and chocolate. For a festive touch, gift them new toys or take them for a Valentine-themed photoshoot with safe props. Instead of traditional bouquets that might contain toxic plants, opt for pet-safe flowers or artificial arrangements. This approach keeps the celebration joyful and safe for all family members.
What should pet owners do if poisoning occurs?
If a pet ingests something toxic, immediate action is crucial. Owners should contact a veterinarian or a pet poison control center right away. It’s helpful to inform them about the substance ingested, the amount, and the time of ingestion. This information assists professionals in providing specific advice or treatment steps. In the meantime, pet owners should not induce vomiting unless explicitly directed by a healthcare professional, as this can sometimes worsen the situation depending on the toxin involved. Quick, informed responses can significantly affect the health outcome for the pet.
How can pet owners prepare for emergencies?
Pet owners can effectively prepare for emergencies by keeping contact information for their veterinarian and a local emergency pet clinic readily accessible. It’s crucial to educate themselves on the symptoms of poisoning and other common pet emergencies, and to assemble a pet first aid kit that includes necessary medical supplies. Awareness of the hazards specific to certain holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, and ensuring hazardous items like chocolate, xylitol-sweetened candies, and toxic plants are out of pets’ reach are vital preventive measures. Lastly, regular vet visits and keeping vaccinations up to date are fundamental for pet health.
What dangers do gift wrapping materials pose?
Gift wrapping materials, such as ribbons, bows, and plastic wrap, present significant hazards to pets. Ribbons and strings can cause choking or intestinal blockages if ingested, which may necessitate emergency veterinary intervention. Plastic wrappers are not only a choking risk but can also lead to gastrointestinal obstructions or internal damage. These materials should be kept out of reach of pets to prevent accidental ingestion and the associated risks.
How should pet owners create safe zones during celebrations?
To create safe zones for pets during celebrations like Valentine’s Day, owners should ensure that potentially harmful items such as chocolates, candies, and small decorative objects are kept out of reach. This includes securing candy bowls and ensuring floral arrangements, particularly those containing toxic plants, are inaccessible. Stuffed animals and other toys with small parts should be monitored to prevent choking or ingestion. Additionally, keeping candles and fireplaces guarded and placing cards or decorations that might contain small batteries up high can prevent accidents and keep pets safe.
Make An Appointment At Our Pet Hospital
Happy Valentine’s Day! If you are looking for a great animal clinic in the area, go ahead and give us a call. As your local pet clinic, we are always happy to help!
