Show your pet some love by keeping chocolate, flowers out of reach

If you want to show your pet (or your sweetheart’s pet) some love today, then make sure to keep your Valentine’s treats out of his way. Lots of things that make your valentine happy will just make Fido sick, and that’s one sure way to ruin a romantic dinner.

Here are some of the biggest threats to pets:

The folks at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital remind us that while we may love chocolate, it's essentially poison for our pets. Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, a chemical similar to caffeine.

“Dogs are most at risk because they are typically more interested in eating things they shouldn’t,” says DoveLewis veterinarian Dr. Ladan Mohommad-Zadeh. “Cats and other animals may also suffer the toxic effects of chocolate; yet, they’re usually pickier eaters.”

Watch out for symptoms of nervousness, trembling, vomiting and diarrhea, muscle spasms and seizures. In severe cases, chocolate can result in coma or death.

The more cacao bean present in the chocolate, the more dangerous it will be; unsweetened, dark and baking chocolates are more dangerous to dogs than milk or semi-sweet chocolate, according to DoveLewis.

If you suspect your pet has eaten any chocolate, you should call your veterinarian or DoveLewis immediately.

If you’re considering flowers as a pet-friendly alternative, choose wisely.

Look out for lilies in the bouquet, according to the Pet Poison Helpline, a 24-hour animal poison control center.  The most dangerous types include the stargazer, tiger, Asiatic and some species of day lilies.

The leaves, petals and pollen all contain a toxin that can be extremely toxic to cats, who may suffer acute kidney failure within just a day or two after eating just one or two petals or leaves. If it’s not treated, the cat will likely die.

Remember that thorns from roses pose risk of injuring your pet’s mouth and paws, and if Fido eats a lot of them, he may wind up with a bowel obstruction.

Finally, the sugar substitute Xylitol is also a no-no, so watch out for sugar-free gum, baked goods, candy and mints. It can cause result in liver failure in dogs or trigger a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.

For more information, call DoveLewis at 503-228-7281 or call the Pet Poison Helpline (the helpline charges $39 per call) at 800-213-6680.

--Monique Balas