Veterinarians warn of hidden Valentine's Day dangers for pets
Newsy
While the dangers chocolate and flowers can pose are well known, there are other risks pet owners should know about.
With Valentine's Day coming up, there is a good chance you have items in your home that are dangerous for pets.
The American Animal Hospital Association is warning pet owners about the risk popular Valentine's Day gifts such as flowers and chocolate have on pets, especially dogs. The group says there is a rise in call volume to the Pet Poison Hotline around Valentine's Day each year.
The AAHA says chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, which is dangerous for cats and dogs. Darker and more bitter chocolates tend to contain more of this chemical.
Pet owners also need to be extra wary of items dipped in chocolate, including raisins, espresso beans and macadamia nuts.
The group also warned about lilies that are often contained in Valentine Day's flower bouquets. While lilies generally aren't toxic to dogs, the petals, leaves and pollen contain a toxin that can cause acute kidney failure in cats. The group says the danger lilies pose depends on the type of lilies, as some may just cause an upset stomach.
