Ensuring Pet Safety on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is all about love, and what better way to express it than by ensuring pet safety? As we immerse ourselves in the pawties, pretty decorations, and gifts, it’s crucial to be mindful of potential hazards for our furriends. Here are some tips for a fun AND safe Valentine’s Day!

Environment & Pet Safety

Decorate with Pet Safety in Mind

No matter you’re having a Valentine’s or Galentine’s pawty, be cautious with balloons, gift wrap and ribbons. Our little ones are naturally curious and may try to investigate or even swallow these items, posing a choking hazard. After the pawty, always tidy up discarded gift wrap and bursted balloons promptly to prevent any unexpected hazards.

Be Careful of Candles

After the pawty, always tidy up discarded gift wrap and bursted balloons promptly to prevent any unexpected hazards.

Candlelit dinners are lovely, but when you’ve got furballs around, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Pawing pooches and kittens can turn a romantic scene into chaos, with potential burns or – knock on wood – a fire hazard! Blow out the flames before you leave the room, and keep that space safe for everypawdy.

If your sweetie unfortunately got burnt, please run cool water on the wound right away and contact your vet. Our Burns Healing Kit may helps reduce the discomfort and irritation your little one experiences from those burns.

Watch Out for Toxic Blooms

While flowers make a lovely gift, not all bouquets are safe for your sweetheart. Varieties like chrysanthemums and tulips are toxic to both dogs and cats. Lilies, on the other hand, are non-toxic to dogs but may be fatal to cats. Roses, while non-toxic, may have thorns that pose a risk. Learn how to identify these harmful florals using this ASPCA guide. You can also double-check with your florist to make sure those flowers are pet-friendly before buying. And if you’re the lucky recipient, give that bouquet a once-over to ensure it’s all safe!

Foods & Pet Safety

Keep the Chocolate All to Yourself

Ah, chocolate—the classic V-Day treat. While you’re busy indulging in your sweet stash, remember to keep it far away from your furkids. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, chemicals that can be fatal to pets. As the darker the chocolate is, the more theobromine found, gourmet dark chocolate is particularly hazardous. Ingesting chocolate can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and even more severe issues. If an accidental ingestion occurs, contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately.

Keep the Xylitol Out of Reach!

If an accidental ingestion occurs, contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (1-800-213-6680) immediately.

Candy, particularly the sugar-free options, can be dangerous for pets. Why? Because they often contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is highly toxic to our furkids. Xylitol ingestion can lead to depression, hypoglycemia (blood sugar drop), or even seizures. Keep an eye on your pet, especially if they have a sweet tooth, and ensure all candies are securely stored away from their nosy noses. Choose natural sugars, like maple syrup, to sweeten the celebration without any health risks.

Pet Safe Gift Ideas

Well, we now know traditional V-Day presents (i.e., chocolate and bouquets) can be dangerous for furkids. What are some safe V-Day gifts then?

Homemade Treats

Making treats yourself gives you the reins to make sure every ingredient is pet-safe. From scones to beef broth, there is a variety of simple recipes you can check out here! You can even find a V-Day-themed cookie recipe there. How delicious!

Gift of Health & Wellness

Being devoted pet parents, we always have our furkids’ health at the forefront. Making sure they are they’re both disease-free and full of energy is a top priority. To make this happen, a balanced diet and proactive, holistic care goes a long way. If you need help with a tailored meal plan for your little one, our in-house vet, Dr. Amanda, can lend a paw! As for proactive support, we recommend NHV Nutritional Essentials Plus Kit and NHV Natural Daily Pet Supplement Bundle. Packed with essential nutrients, they can help with a strong immunity, promotes metabolism, and many more!

With pet-friendly gifts in hand and a good grasp of the harmful ones, you and your sweetheart are all set for a fun and safe Valentine’s celebration that you both deserve!

Showing your little one love doesn’t just mean showering them with treats and affections, but more importantly, providing care and protection. And it goes beyond a single day, but a consistent commitment and effort to ensure their safety and well-being. If you want to learn about natural ways to support your little one, feel free to contact us. Just click the button below!