Valentine’s Day is coming up quick! This special holiday can be a dangerous time for our furry companions. You’ll want to take some precautions to keep your beloved pet safe when Cupid comes around. In this article from Westside Animal Hospital, a Savannah, GA vet lists some Valentine’s Day hazards for pets.

Candies

Those sweet candies with the cute sayings on them are a traditional Valentine’s Day treat. However, many of these brightly colored candies contain xylitol, which is toxic to our furry pals. Hard candies are also a concern, as they can be a choking hazard. The wrappers are dangerous as well. Keep that candy dish well out of paws’ reach!

Chocolate

Chocolate is one of our favorite things, but it definitely isn’t safe for our furry pals. Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, which Fido and Fluffy can’t metabolize. This can make pets very sick. In large doses, it can even be fatal.

Candles

Pets and flames are never a safe mix. If you are planning on a romantic candlelight dinner, keep the candles in a spot your dog or cat can’t reach. Fireplaces are another hazard. Use safety grates to keep pets away from flames.

Plushies

This one is more for dogs. Fluffy usually isn’t particularly interested in stuffed animals, though she may occasionally use them as pillows. Fido may very well try to appropriate a cute teddy bear for himself. This can be dangerous, as many stuffed animals have small parts, like button eyes, that can choke playful pets. Of course, some pups like to tear out the stuffing. This is also unsafe.

Flowers

Those beautiful bouquets can really brighten up a room. Unfortunately, many pretty flowers are poisonous to pets. Lilies, for example, are highly toxic to cats. Roses are also unsafe, though in this case it’s because of thorns, not toxicity. Check the ASPCA site here for more information.

Cards

While not all cards are dangerous, the ones that light up or play music often contain little batteries. These are highly toxic if ingested. If your pet likes to chew things, keep your cards out of paws’ reach.

Alcohol

Wine is a traditional part of a romantic dinner. However, don’t let your pet imbibe. Alcohol is extremely dangerous to our four-legged pals! Happy Valentine’s Day! Please contact us, your local Savannah, GA vet clinic, anytime. We’re here for you!