Love is in the air! As you get ready to celebrate the special day with your furry friend, safety should be front of mind. Even on Valentine’s Day, your pet may get into something they shouldn’t. Because of this, we wanted to create this pet toxicity claims guide. From chocolate to lilies, we’ve got the scoop on which treats your pet should avoid this V-Day. We sat down with the Trupanion data team and Trupanion veterinarian Dr. Caroline Wilde as they unveil the top Valentine’s Day pet claims and the how-to avoid a trip to the veterinarian this February 14th.
Why you need to know about these pet toxicity claims this Valentine’s Day
Although
flowers, chocolate, and other sweet treats are ideal for some, they’re not a
sweet treat for your pets.
According to the Trupanion data team, “Chocolate made up 70% of toxicity-related claims in the weeks surrounding Valentine’s Day over the last five years.” Alternatively, chocolate isn’t the only culprit. There are several other unexpected popular picks.
- Chocolate was the leader with 336 claims, and the Trupanion policy paid $74,000.
- Plants made up 121 pet toxicity claims, and the Trupanion policy paid $22,000.
- Clothing items made up for 21 claims, and the Trupanion policy paid $13,000.
What are the dangers of a foreign
body ingestion?
Accidents happen, and puppies and kittens sure are curious. So, what is safe around your pets? For example, take the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who ingested a clutch jewelry bag. The total amount claimed was $1,058, and the Trupanion policy paid $864. Naturally, most pet owners may not think to put away a bag or shirt, but something as simple as a clothing item can quickly go unnoticed.
Wilde
breaks down why you need to seek medical care if your pet ingests something:
“The dangers of foreign body ingestion vary with what has been ingested. Each food can be associated with unique toxicities. When a pet eats wrappers or a bag, then there is the risk of a GI obstruction.”
If you think your pet might have ingested something, you should seek medical care. It’s best to seek the expertise of your veterinarian, and they can run diagnostic tests.
Signs of ingestion
It may be hard to tell if your pet has eaten something, especially if it is a plant or a small piece of candy. Also, it may depend on what your pet actually ate.
Wilde weighs in on some of the
common signs of foreign body ingestion:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Seizures
Also, “lilies and raisins are associated with damage
to the kidneys. It is important to try to take immediate action when it is
suspected that ingestion has occurred, as once we observe clinical signs, it
can be much harder to treat,” says Wilde.
Treatment plan
Your pet’s treatment plan may be dependent on what they have ingested. That is why it’s so important to seek medical care and the expertise of your veterinarian. They can determine the best course of action. Veterinary medicine has advanced over the years and treatment may include:
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Diagnostics | Emergency care | Hospitalization | Surgery |
Tips to avoid a pet toxicity claim this Valentine’s Day
No pet
owner wants the stress of a sick pet on Valentine’s Day. Wilde points out some essential
tips to keep your pet safe this holiday.
- Be very cautious with all plants in the house and confirm with your veterinarian whether the plant or flower is safe.
- Keep all food items in tightly sealed containers, and out of reach of your pets. Remember dogs and cats may jump on the counter.
- Wrappers don’t stop pets from ingesting something.
Consider putting all food and clothing items away, so your pets can’t get into something when you’re not home. A pet-friendly home includes keeping toxic items out of reach for your furry friends.
Also, by being mindful of their behavior and seeking medical care when needed, you can have a fun and safe Valentine’s Day with your pets.
To learn more on pet claims, read Five Common Pet
Poison Claims
About The Author
Kelli.Rascoe
is a digital content writer and editor for Trupanion. She spends her workday writing for the Trupanion blog. She loves writing about pets, being inspired by pets, and luckily gets to hang out with her rescue dogs all day long. In her free time, she enjoys exploring and traveling with her family. Her work has been featured on the DOGTV blog, KitNipBox blog, Get Your Pet blog, Fansided, among many others.
