Flowers and Chocolate gifts

As Galentine's, Valentine's, and Mother's Day approach, remember that if the recipients are also pet owners, you might inadvertently be giving them something harmful to their cherished pets.

It's crucial to be aware of the risks these items pose to our pets.

Chocolates

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, cats, rabbits, and several other species.

Chocolate can cause a range of symptoms, from vomiting and diarrhoea, rapid breathing, restlessness or hyperactivity, Tremors or incoordination, increased heart rate or even seizures.

Vets Now has given us a chocolate toxicity calculator for our dogs, allowing us to assess if we are facing a veterinary emergency and need to seek urgent medical attention.

https://dog-chocolate-calculator.vets-now.com/

Flowers

Many flowers are toxic, and sometimes we unknowingly gift them. This might happen because we're unaware of their poisonous nature, or they might be overlooked in a bouquet and go unnoticed.

Flower and plant toxicity can manifest in various symptoms, such as lethargy or collapse, vomiting or diarrhea, blood in stool, increased thirst and urination, reduced appetite or refusal to eat, drooling, twitching or tremors, and even seizures.

The PDSA website provides a comprehensive list of toxic plants and flowers, including those found throughout the seasons and in houseplants.

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/poisonous-plants

With increased awareness of these previously concealed toxins, we can now request pet-friendly flowers from our local florists, allowing us to give floral gifts to family and friends that are safe for their pets and furry family members.

You can purchase pet-friendly flowers such as roses, snapdragons, sunflowers, violets, orchids, freesias, germini, waxflowers, statice, and limoniums.