Valentine’s Day dog safety tips

Valentine’s Day may be time for romance but celebrating the holiday poses some threats for your dog.

To keep your pup safe, be sure to follow these Valentine’s Day dog safety tips regarding flowers, treats, and alcohol.

Valentine’s Day dog safety: Flowers

Roses, the most popular Valentine’s Day flower, are safe for dogs. Just watch out for the thorns. 

Other safe flowers include daisies, tulips, daffodils, carnations, alstroemeria, asters, sunflowers, statice, and poms. 

Valentine’s Day dog safety: Food

Many favorite holiday foods can be dangerous to dogs. Avoid letting your dog eat or drink any of the following:

Alcohol can cause respiratory failure, central nervous system depression, abnormal blood acidity, coma, and death.

Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine can cause abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and death.

Sweets and baked goods, especially if made with the sweetener xylitol, also known as birch sugar, can cause liver failure and death.

Nuts (macadamias, almonds, pecans, and walnuts), as well as fatty meats, gravy, and turkey skin, can cause vomiting, diarrhea and potentially deadly pancreatitis.

Keep them all out of reach, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Worried about what your dog ate? Program your veterinarian’s phone number on your smartphone.

To be extra safe, be sure you know the hours and location or the closest emergency animal clinic. The ASPCA also provides a poison control hotline at 888-426-4435 or download the organization’s mobile app to access to potentially life-saving information.

Celebrate with your dog 

Want to ensure your Valentine’s Day is extra special, celebrate with your dog. 

And consider making special dog-friendly cakes and treats. 

For more Valentine’s Day dog safety tips, check out the graphic below. 

Sara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can reach Sara @ [email protected].