While Valentine’s Day is a holiday dedicated to love and connection, it can pose a serious risk for our furry friends. From chocolate to flowers, there are potential pet hazards at every turn. Have no fear, however, with our pet safety tips, you can achieve peace of mind while celebrating loved ones.

Bringing Pet Safety Into Focus

If a pet poisoning occurs on or around Valentine’s Day, it is critical not to wait for symptoms to improve. Know the signs of poisoning and seek emergency help immediately. 

Valentine’s Day-themed chocolates are a big threat to pet safety. If your eager pet finds his way into a box of heart-shaped chocolates, it could lead to serious health issues. If your pet has ingested a toxic amount of chocolate, the following symptoms can develop between 6-12 hours after consumption:

• Racing heart beat
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Excessive thirst
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• High blood pressure

Our pets cannot metabolize chocolate’s key chemical compounds: caffeine and theobromine. When absorbed by the bloodstream, caffeine and theobromine have dire side effects and can even cause death. The severity of a chocolate poisoning depends on the amount consumed, and the type of chocolate (dark chocolate is more toxic). If you think your pet has eaten chocolate, you should call your veterinarian immediately.

Flowers and More

Have you noticed that store-bought flower arrangements or bouquets usually contain at least one lily? Valentine’s Day pet safety depends on removing lilies from any arrangement before you bring them home or display them. 

Valentine’s Day signature bloom, roses, aren’t quite as toxic as lilies, but they shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as safe, either. A pet may leave a large bouquet of roses alone, but if they do eat the petals or stems, expect a little GI upset. Thorns can also cause injury to pets. 

Lastly, be sure that a pet cannot access cut flowers. Pesticides and other chemicals may be on the flower blossom, stem, or can leach into the water. 

Other Considerations

Just because you have pets doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some Valentine’s traditions, though. What all pet owners can do is safeguard their pet’s health by limiting their exposure to known toxins, like chocolate and flowers. 

Additionally, be on the lookout for any symptoms of a foreign body obstruction. Pets can inadvertently eat gift wrap, ribbon, foil wrappers, and tape. Please act quickly if you notice:

• Vomiting or nausea
• Appetite loss
• Depression
• Lethargy 

If you have any questions or concerns about Valentine’s Day pet safety, please give us a call at  (530) 673-4744. Adobe Animal Hospital & Laser Surgery Center is always happy to help!

The post Valentine’s Day Pet Safety: Toxic Foods, Flowers, and Choking Hazards appeared first on Adobe Animal Hospital & Laser Surgery Center.

By the time summer lets go and autumn moves in, pets and their people may be relieved that heat stroke and dehydration are in the rear view. That doesn’t mean, however, that the approaching weeks aren’t full of their own threats to pet safety. On the contrary, Halloween can be highly dangerous to the pets in our care. With special attention and thorough preparation, our team can help you prevent illness, injury, loss, and other consequences associated with Halloween. 

How to Know

Many pets are perfectly happy to go with the flow, regardless of the time, event, or stimuli. Others may be highly sensitive to crowds, costumes, and the associated sights and sounds. It’s a good idea to carefully consider where your pet resides on this spectrum. 

Even if you have a good idea how they might react to squealing kids or scary noises, your pet could surprise you. A normally relaxed pet may be triggered by something. Reacting to your pet’s needs and quickly providing for them is at the center of Halloween pet safety. 

A Place to Wait It Out

Sometimes, the constant doorbell ringing or knocking can rattle a pet’s nerves. You can promote pet safety and well-being by setting up a back room just for them. Dim lighting, white noise, snacks, and plenty of water can soothe any anxiety related to Halloween. Spend time with them after you turn off the porch light, and give them the attention they deserve.

To prevent accidental loss or separation, be sure that your pet is either safely contained or leashed the entire evening. Check their collar and ID tags, and update their microchip if contact information has recently changed. 

Safe Inside

Cats, especially black cats, should stay indoors prior to and during Halloween events. If you and your pet typically walk at night, be sure to wear reflective clothing and lights. 

Halloween Candy and Pet Safety

Prevent a pet emergency caused by Halloween candy in these ways:

• Never allow your pet to get their paws on chocolate candy, nuts, raisins, or goodies sweetened with xylitol. This includes artificially sweetened mints or gum, and baked goods. 
• Eliminate their exposure to alcohol, marijuana products, and caffeinated beverages, (including energy drinks). 

• Keep unsafe items on high surfaces they cannot access
• Pick up any discarded wrappers or packaging
• Store backpacks, purses, or bags behind closed doors. 

Other Dangers

Halloween pet safety requires a cautious approach to the following:

• Candles (always used battery-operated lights in jack o’lanterns, but be sure your pet can’t eat them).
• Halloween decor and festive displays, including string lights, animatronic displays, webbing, and even scarecrows.
• Costumes can be fun for a quick picture, but unless your pet is completely relaxed wearing a costume please remove it before they become distressed. Remove any attachments or embellishments that could endanger their health. 

Pet Safety and Comfort

Your pet’s health is our number one priority. Please call us at (530) 673-4744 with any questions or concerns. Our veterinary team is always here for you at Adobe Animal Hospital and Laser Surgery Center.

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