Wishing you and yours a very Happy Valentine's Day!
A few reminders so that we can all relax and have a good time together!!
Valentine’s Day can be as much fun for pets as it is for humans if
dangerous foods, flora and other items are kept out of paws’ reach. Each
year poison control experts see a rise in cases around February 14,
many involving chocolate and lilies, a flower that’s potentially fatal
to cats. So please heed the experts’ advice — don’t leave the goodies
lying around on Valentine’s Day.
Pet-Safe Bouquets
Many
pet owners are still unaware that all species of lily are potentially
fatal to cats. When sending a floral arrangement, specify that it
contain no lilies if the recipient has a cat — and when receiving an
arrangement, sift through and remove all dangerous flora. If your pet is
suffering from symptoms such as stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea, he
may have ingested an offending flower or plant. Use online toxic and
nontoxic plant libraries as visual guides of what and what not should be
in your bouquets.
Forbidden Chocolate
Seasoned
pet lovers know the potentially life-threatening dangers of chocolate,
including baker’s, semi sweet, milk and dark. In darker chocolates,
methylxanthines— caffeine-like stimulants that affect gastrointestinal,
neurologic and cardiac function—can cause vomiting/diarrhea,
hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The
high-fat content in lighter chocolates can potentially lead to a
life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Go ahead and indulge, but
don’t leave chocolate out for chowhounds to find.
Careful with Cocktails
Spilled
wine, half a glass of champagne, some leftover liquor are nothing to
cry over until a curious pet laps them up. Because animals are smaller
than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing
vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system
depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and
even coma. Potentially fatal respiratory failure can also occur if a
large enough amount is ingested.
Life Is Sweet
So don’t let pets near treats sweetened
with xylitol. If ingested, gum, candy and other treats that include this
sweetener can result in a sudden drop in blood sugar known as
hypoglycemia. This can cause your pet to suffer depression, loss of
coordination and seizures.
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Don’t
let pets near roses or other thorny stemmed flowers. Biting, stepping
on or swallowing their sharp, woody spines can cause serious infection
if a puncture occurs. “It’s all too easy for pets to step on thorns that
fall to the ground as a flower arrangement is being created,” says Dr.
Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial
Animal Hospital. De-thorn your roses far away from pets.
Playing with Fire
It’s
nice to set your evening a-glow with candlelight, but put out the fire
when you leave the room. Pawing kittens and nosy pooches can burn
themselves or cause a fire by knocking over unattended candles.
Wrap it Up
Gather
up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after
presents have been opened — if swallowed, these long, stringy and
“fun-to-chew” items can get lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive
tract, causing her to choke or vomit.
The Furry Gift of Life?
Giving
a cuddly puppy or kitten may seem a fitting Valentine’s Day gift —
however, returning a pet you hadn’t planned on is anything but romantic.
Companion animals bring with them a lifelong commitment, and choosing a
pet for someone else doesn’t always turn out right. Consider a gift
certificate for a local shelter!
Copyright ASPCA
