Valentine’s Day is all about sharing the love with your friends and family, and that includes your furry family! From gifts to pet treats to cuddles on the couch, there are plenty of ways to safely shower your pet with more love and affection this Valentine’s Day.
The gift of the paw
Everyone loves receiving thoughtful gifts from loved ones, so your pets probably will too. Here are some ideas to get them to wag their tails: a XOXO bandana or bow, a red collar with a heart-shaped name tag, a heart-shaped squeaker toy, or a pink and red ball. You can also create Valentine’s Day cards for your pet’s playmates that say “Best Friends Furever” or “You Are Purrfect.”
Whether You If you happen to receive flowers as a gift from someone special, be sure to check whether they could be toxic to your pets. Roses are not poisonous, but other flowers such as true lilies, tulips and daffodils could be harmful to them. Be sure to check the ASPCA’s List of Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Plants and Pet Poison Helpline’s Poison Database, if you’re unsure about a flower’s toxicity.
So Sweet Specialty Pet Treats
Getting candy and chocolate can be one of the best parts of Valentine’s Day for people, but be sure to hide that heart-shaped box from your pets. It would be heartbreaking to have to go to the vet because your pet ate some of your chocolate or sugar-free (xylitol) candy. Instead, treat them to vet-approved treats. For a fun twist, you can place the heart-shaped treats on the floor or make XOXOs. Your pet may not know why there is a heart shape, but it’s the thought that counts.
You can also use them for a Valentine’s Day game of hide and seek.
Kiss, kiss… (or not?)
Kisses and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand, but does a lick from your pet bring you more than a little love? If you think of the other activities the average dog uses their mouth for – looting the litter box, grooming all their body parts, eating whatever they found in the garden – maybe a kiss on the face isn’t the best idea. Also, it is a myth that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s. Under the right conditions, bacteria in the mouths of dogs can cause disease in humans. It is therefore best to avoid kissing on the face, on an open wound or if you are immunocompromised.
Cuddles on the sofa
Perhaps the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is the simplest: snuggle up on the couch. Appropriate for Valentine’s Day, interacting with your pet can increase oxytocin, which is your “cuddle” or “love” hormone. Oxytocin is a natural stress reliever, so grab a blanket and curl up on the couch for some well-deserved cuddles with your dog or cat.
Valentine’s Day is a great reason to give your pet some love, treats, and maybe some new toys, too. Just make sure the day is celebrated safely. Maybe you’ll even get an “I cut you off.”
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