For couples, Valentine's Day is a romantic time to celebrate your love for each other. During the celebration, it may be tempting to include your dog, but some precautions should be taken. While you can still have fun and celebrate the holiday, there are a lot of special Valentine's day treats that could leave your cainine at the vet clinic for the night. As you plan various festivities, keep the following five Valentine's Day hazards in mind. By tracking your dog's actions, you can ensure that the animal has a safe and loving holiday with you and your partner.
Fresh Flowers
Flowers are a common Valentine's Day gift. They look pretty when displayed in a vase, but can be harmful to your pet. One example is the rose. Commonly given on Valentine's day, the petals of a rose are mostly harmless, but the thorns can cause problems. If your dog chews on rose thorns, it can cut up the esophagus or intestines. Instead of trying to retrieve the flowers from the dog's mouth, you should take the animal to an emergency vet as soon as possible. Pulling up on the thorns could cut and damage the canine even further. A vet has the ability to sedate the dog, run tests, and operate to remove the flowers.
Lillies also pose another dangerous threat for dogs. The flowers contain toxins that can be harmful to a dog's stomach.
Chocolate Candies
Many people get their sweet tooth ready for Valentine's Day, but your dog shouldn't get to chomp on the same treats. Dark chocolates, chocolate candy bars, and chocolate-covered fruits can all pose health issues to dogs. Dogs are unable to process the chocolate in their stomach as quickly as humans. This results in a rise in blood pressure and additional problems. This is why it's important to secure the box of chocolates and keep your dog away from any romantic fondue dipping.
If your dog does ingest some chocolate, it's important to monitor their stomach. Watch for any dramatic changes in behavior or vomiting. If you notice any symptoms, the dog should be brought to a vet as soon as possible. This will help clear the chocolate from the stomach and prevent further damage.
Scented Candles
A romantic mood is instantly set on Valentine's Day when candles are lit and soft music plays. Depending on your dog's behavior, that candle could pose multiple health risks. One of the more obvious risks is a risk of burning. A dog could unintentionally walk by a candle that is lit. This could cause fur and skin to catch on fire. If your dog is burned, they need to be treated right away to help reduce pain and prevent infection. Keep candles up high where dogs cannot reach them.
The scents on a candle may also act as an attractant for dogs. Dogs may seek out various food and floral scents. If they gain access to the candle, they could chew on it or potentially break it. Glass shards could cut a dog and candle wax could cause stomach problems.
Gourmet Meals
Valentine's Day is a great time to share a special meal with a loved one. These dinners typically go above and beyond a traditional meal. Before giving your dogs the scraps, it's important to consider the types of foods you are feeding the animal. For example, dogs should not consume raw fish. The fish could be potentially harmful to their stomachs and result in poisoning. This is why fresh sushi should be kept to just you and your partner. It's also a good idea to avoid choking hazards like steak bones. It's nice to get your dog a special treat, but it should be something that is exclusively from the pet row.
Stuffed Animals
A lot of dogs love to get squeaky toys and chew toys. They may associate those toys with the same teddy bear that you receive or gift on Valentine's Day. Try to keep these stuffed animals away from dogs. The stuffed animals made for Valentine's Day gifts often include hard plastic parts and other materials that a dog shouldn't chew on. If a dog does get their paws on a stuffed animal, ensure that they do not swallow large plastic pieces. If they do, it's important to contact a vet clinic and see what options you have to remove the foreign object.
By taking a little extra precaution, you can leave the romance in your Valentine's Day and prevent harm to your pet. Click here for more info on ways to avoid dog digestion disasters.
Share26 January 2016
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