Valentine’s Day! A time when love is in the air. Did you also know that this can be a very dangerous time for your pet? Here are the top four things you can do to ensure a safe and healthy Valentine’s Day for you and your furry four-legged best friend.
Valentine’s Day Treats & Your Dog
I covered the top human foods we shouldn’t feed our dogs , and chocolate is number one on that list. And for good reason. Theobromine is in all chocolate and can impact your dog’s heart, leading to seizures, tremors, and even death.
Chocolate isn’t the only food that could send your dog to the veterinarian—some sweets, like hard candy or gum to keep your breath kissably fresh, can be hazardous. Not only can these pose a choking hazard to your dog, but they might also contain Xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Finally, alcohol, such as wine, can also be highly toxic to your dog, even in small amounts. Although it has the same effect on your dog’s brain and liver as it would a human, it takes a smaller amount to have a much more adverse impact on your dog. Bear in mind the smaller the dog, the more dangerous it can be.
In addition to sluggishness and lack of coordination, alcohol can trigger breathing problems which could lead to coma and, of course, death.
Recommendation: to stay safe, ensure your human food is kept well out of your dog’s reach.
Valentine’s Day Flowers & Your Dog
Roses are a traditional Valentine’s gift; although they are not toxic to your dog, the thorns could puncture your dog. If ingested, this could be particularly troublesome. If you choose a different route, be wary of flowers like lilies, as they can be highly toxic. You can find a list of toxic plants in this blog post.
One way to mitigate these risks is to opt for artificial versions of your favourite holiday plants.
To get your own copy of this infographic, click here.
Candle Lit Dinners & Your Dog
Be diligent with your dog around any lit candles you may use. Not only can they get burned, but a tipped-over lit candle can cause a great deal of damage to your home.
Similarly, if you have a fireplace, you want to ensure that there is a gate around it. Embers or sparks from a fireplace can ignite your dog’s fur.
Valentine’s Day Presents & Your Dog
If you choose to give your love a gift or receive a Valentine’s Day token, remember that wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows can be hazardous to your dog. Most wrapping papers are non-toxic to dogs (except for metallic or sparkly wrapping paper). Even still, it’s always better to err on caution and use plain wrapping paper.
Ribbons and bows in and of themselves are not toxic. They can get caught up in your dog’s digestive tract. If ribbons and bows aren’t avoidable, it’s best to ensure your dog is well-supervised around them.
Conclusion
Whether or not you will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, I hope these tips resonate with you. Leave a comment if you have any other advice or anything I may have missed. In the meantime, I wish you all a happy and safe Valentine’s Day.
