It’s Valentine’s Day, which means that you may be introducing new gifts or decorations into your home. Unfortunately, some of these products can be dangerous to your pets. Share the love this holiday by ensuring a safe and comfortable home!
Flowers
Flowers are a beautiful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Many are harmless, but some are less so. Calla lilies, azaleas, daffodils, chrysanthemums, daisies, carnations, tulips, and hydrangeas are all common in flower arrangements but toxic to dogs and cats. While these are the most toxic, other flowers can harm pets in other ways. If ingested, flowers such as morning glories, amaryllis, and peonies can cause digestive distress such as vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. Contact with cactuses, primroses, and ficuses can cause rashes.
Meanwhile, flower arrangements often contain roses, sunflowers, gerber daisies, orchids, and snapdragons. These are all nontoxic to pets and can be kept in your home. To be safe, keep all flowers away from your pets. This also reduces the possibility of breaking vases, which cats are known to do.
Candles and Scents
Certain ingredients in candles can be dangerous to your pets. These include paraffin, lead, acetaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. Burning candles that contain these ingredients can cause a variety of different complications. Instead, look for candles made of soy, bluecorn, or beeswax.
However, artificial scents can also be problematic for dogs and cats. Studies have shown that candle and air freshener scents make us and our pets sick over time. Furthermore, essential oil scents such as peppermint, wintergreen, tea tree, and eucalyptus are extremely dangerous, especially to cats. As a safety precaution, avoid using essential oils at home.
Chocolates
Another traditional (and delicious) Valentine’s Day gift is chocolate. Chocolate is dangerous to pets, but only when consumed. Keep any products containing chocolate wrapped and far away from your animals’ reach.
At Claws N Paws Day Spa, your pet’s needs are always first. We provide professional grooming services to both cats and dogs. Additionally, we provide boarding to cats in our adjacent facility. For more information or to book an appointment, contact us at 714-962-1005 or visit our Fountain Valley location today!