Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love with the people you love. But what about our furry friends? Your four-legged companions also deserve a treat to celebrate this special time of year. But what kinds of Valentine’s Day gifts are safe to give your pet? Here are just a few ideas to help you determine what is and what isn’t the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your animal companion.

Do Give Your Pet…

Toys
Valentine’s Day is one of the best days of the year to get your pet a new toy. It’s a special feeling to see your dog or cat excited and playing with a new toy. Playing with toys is not only fun for your pets, but also healthy. When you invest in engaging toys for your cat or dog, you’re ensuring that they’re staying active for at least a little while when they’re playing. Luckily, there are many types of toys you can get for your pets that will not endanger their health or safety. For instance, plushy toys are better gifts for cats than they are for dogs.

Dogs that are heavy chewers may get too excited and remove the stuffing materials in plushy toys, which can choke them or cause allergic reactions if ingested. When choosing a toy for your pet, you should consider the size of the toy, and whether the toy is made of non-toxic, ingestible materials. A big dog may easily swallow a small toy or chew through a flimsy toy in minutes. Make sure you’re catering to your pet’s needs when you look at toys.

Quality Time Together
Your Valentine’s Day gifts for your pet don’t necessarily need to be limited to materialistic items. In most cases, and especially for dogs, nothing expresses your love for them more than quality playtime. Dogs especially love to play outdoors, which means a trip to your local dog run or park might be in order. Whether you play fetch, run around, or take a walk in the park, it will be a perfect Valentine’s Day treat. To make it more interesting, you can introduce your pet to their new toy during playtime.

If you want to gift quality time to the feline friend in your life, you’ll have a more relaxing time in store. Most cats simply like to sit on your warm lap while you watch a movie or read. So if you’ve been out and about a lot lately, this is a great opportunity to slow down and really give your cat some love.

Don’t Give Your Pet…

Chocolate or Candies
As much as you might enjoy a box of chocolate on Valentine’s Day, you should keep any chocolate or candy far away from your pets. Chocolate contains Theobromine, which is toxic to your pet even in small quantities. Candies and other sweet treats may contain a substance called Xylitol, which is also toxic to dogs and cats. If you really want to gift a special treat to your pet, contact a pet-friendly bakery in your area to see if they have any treats available for your beloved furry friends. These treats are guaranteed to be safe for your pets to ingest and can often be customized to accommodate certain dietary needs.

Flowers or Plants
Although flowers are beautiful, smell nice, and are a sentimental gift, some species are highly toxic to your pet. These flowers include oleanders, lilies, tulips, and daffodils. Even houseplants can be toxic for your pets if they’re ingested. If you really want to give your pet an all-natural experience, there are a few options. For cats, cat grass can be an excellent gift. That being said, it’s important to monitor your cat with this plant to make sure they don’t eat too much. For dogs, a few veggies or a romp in the yard can provide all the greenery they could ever want.

When searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day gifts for your pet, you should prioritize their safety and health. And considering that almost 92% of pet owners routinely spend money on their pets, you won’t be alone in your search.

At Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center we are happy to provide a wide range of veterinary specialty and emergency services. It is important to have a “primary care” veterinarian to keep your new family member healthy and happy with routine vaccinations and health checks. But if you find yourself in the midst of a veterinary emergency, our team of experienced veterinarians is here to help. When it comes to visiting animal hospitals, we understand that the experience can be full of stress and worry, so we aim to make things as simple as possible. For more information, get in touch with one of our experts today.