Press Release

 

'Love Me, Love My Pets': The ASPCA’s Guide to a Pet-Friendly Valentine’s Day

 

National Animal Welfare Organization Cautions: Valentines Traditions May Cause Harm To Animals

January 3, 2007

ASPCA Media Contact

NEW YORK, January 3, 2007—As the New Year settles in and Valentine’s Day approaches, sweethearts will begin to search far and wide for that perfect gift to give to loved ones during this romance-filled time of year—roses, chocolates & candy, perhaps a new four-legged friend?  But the ASPCA wants to caution you to that some traditional Valentine’s Day gift ideas should come with a warning for your furry or feathered companions. Here are some tips on having a loving and safe Valentine’s Day:

- While beautiful flowers are always a favorite on Valentine’s Day, pet owners are urged to take caution with roses or any other flowers containing thorns, which could be potentially harmful to pets if played with, bitten, stepped on or swallowed. “It’s all too easy for pets to step on thorny stems that fall to the ground as a flower arrangement is being created,” said Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Hospital. “Be sure to keep your pets clear of your workspace as you arrange your beautiful flowers, since they can develop serious infections from thorn punctures. Also, many varieties of lilies are highly toxic to cats, so if these are your Valentine’s flower of choice, make sure your cats can’t get near them.”

- Chocolate is also a popular gift around this time of year. But this delectable treat is one that could make pets ill. Chocolates may contain fat and caffeine-like substances known as methylxanthines, which can potentially cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea to panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in severe cases.

- Another potential hazard is gum or candy sweetened with the sugar substitute xylitol, which can cause a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar (known as hypoglycemia), resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. “If you suspect your dog may have eaten products containing any of these harmful ingredients, please seek veterinary treatment immediately,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and Vice President of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, the premier animal poison control center in North America.

- As a general rule, the ASPCA advises that pet owners avoid offering their animals food meant for  human consumption without first speaking with their regular veterinarian, and to be especially diligent in keeping candy, gum or other foods containing chocolate or xylitol out of pets’ reach.

- Lastly, it may seem very tempting to give your loved one a new puppy or kitten for Valentine’s Day—they sure are cute and cuddly! But the ASPCA wants to remind you that bringing a new companion animal into your home is a big decision. Why not present your loved one with a gift certificate to adopt from the ASPCA shelter, or take a trip to the shelter together? You might just make another love match.

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

 

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