Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and many of us are planning to share this special day with our favorite fur person. But not everything about Valentine’s Day is pet friendly. This blogpost will give you suggestions to plan a safe celebration for you and your pet.
Avoid Chocolate
Nothing says “I love you” like a heart-shaped box filled with chocolates, unless you are a dog. To a dog, that tempting box of chocolates says, “Would you like to make a trip to the animal ER?” Chocolate consumption is the number one toxin resulting in emergency admission to the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your dog. If your dog is a counter-surfer, play it safe and stock up on candy hearts, gumdrop hearts or cinnamon hearts rather than a box of chocolates.
Caution with the Bubbly
If your Valentine’s Day celebration includes another human and plans to clink glasses of champagne, use extra caution when your pet is around. Just a few laps of a leftover alcoholic beverage can be hazardous for a small pet. Don’t leave any celebratory drinks unattended and in reach of pets.
Watch a RomCom Together
There is nothing better than spending an evening on the sofa snuggling in front of a movie. For cat lovers, consider the 1958 classic, Bell, Book and Candle starring Siamese cat Pyewacket. Or how about Chocolat (perfect for the season), which features a white cat, or Meet the Parents starring Mr. Jinx Focker, a Himalayan cat. Dog lovers have lots of film options as well. Consider Krull, the Chinese crested in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days; Brinkley, the golden retriever in You’ve Got Mail; and Bruiser Woods, the Chihuahua staring in Legally Blonde.
Create Ambiance, Safely
Candles and scented air create a lovely atmosphere for your Valentine, but they may not be so safe for your pet. One swish of a tail over a lighted candle can easily catch a pet’s fur on fire. In a panic, the pet can set nearby paper or fabric on fire. Best to use battery operated flicker candles. Essential oils can be extremely toxic to cats and best avoided not just on Valentine’s Day, but year-round.
Show Your Love with a Carefully Selected Gift
You can make your pet’s kisses sweeter with a gift approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council or warm their hearts (and the rest of them) with a special Valentine’s Day sweater. You can find pet-safe alternatives to some of the “don’ts” on this list, toasting your feline love with a champagne kicker toy filled with catnip or gifting your dog a “chocolate” box burrow toy.
Finally, in the words of JLo, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” so you don’t need to buy gifts or plan something special, for Valentine’s Day. Your pet will love every minute you spend with them!
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alcohol, champagne, chocolate, gifts, movies, pet movies, pet toxins, valentine’s day,
