Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. We all love a treat on this special day, especially when it’s shared with a loved one or special someone. As indulgent and delicious as chocolate (and many other Valentine’s Day treats) may be, it’s important to remember that they are dangerous for our furry and feathered friends. If you have pets in the house this Valentine’s Day, we recommend keeping these treats out of reach or under close supervision at all times.
Not sure which Valentine’s Day treats may be harmful to your pets? Keep reading to find out more.
Chocolate
It’s well known nowadays that chocolate is a food you should avoid giving your dog, cat and pets. But why is chocolate dangerous for pets? It’s because it contains two components, caffeine and theobromine, which can stimulate the central nervous system and heart. Pets cannot digest and metabolise these compounds the same way humans can, meaning that they can quickly cause issues in the digestive tract that can lead to extreme illness or worse.
Even the smallest amount of chocolate can be lethal for pets. As much as 130 grams of chocolate per kilo of body weight can be damaging. So, as much as they beg or plead, we recommend keeping it away from them for their own good.
Cake
Many store-bought cakes, cupcakes, brownies and baked goods contain Xylitol; an artificial sweetener that can help you indulge all the more. While it’s a natural plant-based sweetener, it’s toxic for dogs, cats and pets as it can cause low blood sugar levels. This is because your pet’s pancreas can confuse the Xylitol for real sugar, making it release more insulin than necessary. This can lead to diabetic responses and plummeting blood sugar responses, which can be lethal to pets.
It’s important to understand the toxicity of Xylitol as well. As little as 100mg can cause hypoglycemia and seizures in pets. We recommend always reading the label when purchasing cakes to try and avoid this ingredient as this can provide peace of mind. You can also bake your own cakes to ensure you know the ingredients inside them. Perhaps you could make some pet-friendly ones on the side, too. This way your pet can also enjoy some Valentine’s Day love.
Flowers
They may not be on the edible side of a Valentine’s Day treat, but it’s important to remember that many flowers are toxic to pets. If a loved one has already gifted you flowers this year for Valentine’s Day, we recommend keeping them out of reach-out pets at all times. Of course, this can be difficult with cat households, as felines can easily climb onto tables and benches.
If you are yet to receive flowers, you may consider having a conversation with your loved one and family about which flowers can be accepted. Some flowers to avoid include tulips, lilies, hydrangeas, hyacinths, daffodils and azaleas. Some flowers that are safe around pets include roses, orchids, sunflowers, snapdragons and magnolias.
The PetNest Team is here to support you.
Worried about how Valentine’s Day could put your pet at risk? Our team is always here to provide support to ensure that you can enjoy it as safely as possible. Chat with us about pet care, pet health and our range of affordable pet products today.
