3 Valentine's Day Pet Risks

While all eyes may be on Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day in February, when it comes to Valentine's Day, you should really keep a close eye on your own pets. That's because like many major holidays, Valentine's Day can be dangerous for your pets.

According to the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, there are 3 main causes of danger to your pets on Valentine's Day—most related to animal poisoning. And your animals don't have to ingest anything with a skull and crossbones on it—what we take for granted as typical Valentine's Day props can turn deadly for pets. Here are the top 3.

1. Flowers. All species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. If possible, specify no lilies if buying an arrangement for a household with cats. If not, sort through the flowers to remove any lilies. Symptoms of lily ingestion in cats can be stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. Likewise, thorns on roses or other flowers can be dangerous for dogs or other pets. Biting, stepping on, or swallowing stems with thorns increases risk for a puncture, which can result in serious infections internally or externally.
2. Chocolate. Many people receive chocolate on Valentine's Day—Americans spend some $1 billion on chocolate for this holiday alone—but it's important to remember that chocolate is toxic to both cats and dog. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. Darker chocolates contain caffeine-like stimulants that cause gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiac functions that can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and elevated heart rate. However, any kind of chocolate—dark, milk, semi-sweet, and baker's chocolates—can cause adverse reactions. High fat in lighter chocolates can cause life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas, so make sure to keep the chocolate where pets can't reach it.
3. Cocktails. How you imbibe on Valentine's Day can also cause harm to your pet. Because of their smaller size, even a small amount of alcohol lapped up from a low-sitting glass or cleaned off the floor after a spill can cause dramatic problems like vomiting/diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, and even coma.

If you think your pet has eaten something poisonous, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680.