For Pet Owners, Share Valentine's Day Love With Hugs, but Skip the Hearts and Flowers for Fido and Tabby

PRNewswire -- On Valentine's Day we profess our unconditional love to those who mean the most, lavishing them with affections and confections. For animal lovers, expressions of adoration and devotion can easily extend to our pets.

However, there are some pet hazards associated with the traditions of the holiday, explains veterinarian Dr. Kristie Souders of North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Dr. Souders offers these tips on how to keep pets safe from potential Valentine's Day hazards.

Chocolate

The number one belly ache for pets on Valentine's Day is chocolate since it's so readily available. Depending on the amount ingested, chocolate is potentially poisonous to many animals. A good rule of thumb to remember is the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. These particular chocolates contain theobromine, which is a substance similar to caffeine. Even in small, non-toxic doses, chocolate can still cause stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, hyperactivity, dehydration and seizures. It's best not to tempt fate with tempting chocolates. Leave the sweets for your human sweetie.

Candy and Gum

Many sugar-free candy, gum and baked products today contain xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener found in plants that is used as a sugar substitute and is highly toxic to dogs, so be sure not to leave these snacks where your pet can find them. Dogs ingesting significant amounts of gum or candies solely or largely sweetened with xylitol may develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures and even liver failure. Symptoms come on very quickly. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any amount of xylitol, call your veterinarian immediately.

Plants, Flowers and Candles

Many flower and plant varieties are poisonous or harmful to pets. Different plants and flowers have varied effects. Some of the more popular varieties that may be found around Valentine's Day are: Baby's Breath, Chrysanthemums, Daffodils, various Lilies, Ferns, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Impatiens, Lily-of-the-Valley, Rubber plants, and Tulips. Cats, especially, find grass-like plants irresistible and have access to just about everywhere. There are many more flowers and plants that can cause upset and even death to your pet, so please be aware to keep all varieties of flora and fauna away from them. Candles are also popular on holidays. Be mindful that pets, especially cats, can be attracted to the flicker and have the potential for being burned or knocking over a candle that could cause a fire. Keep burning candles out of reach and never leave them unattended when your pet is in the area.

Pamper Your Pets This Valentine's Day

While traditional Valentine's Day goodies are not good for animals, there are plenty of pet delicacies you can use to pamper your pet so he doesn't feel left out. An extra long walk or a special brushing can be just what Cupid ordered. Exercise and grooming have infinite benefits for both of you. Treats of the non-edible kind are equally as satisfying. A new bed, toy, catnip or bone can help express that special place in the heart saved for our furry friends.

This Valentine's Day, if you are an animal lover, think about opening your heart and home to a shelter animal. You will be saving a life. If you don't have a pet, consider the Valentine's gift of sponsorship. For more information on pet safety and well-being, to learn more about North Shore Animal League America, or to send a Valentine's e-card visit www.AnimalLeague.org .

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Halloween Pet Tips From the American Humane Association

/PRNewswire/ -- Candy, costumes, trick-or-treating and frighteningly fun times are what most people think of around Halloween. But pets may find strangers coming to the door dressed as ghosts and goblins a little too scary. Here are some tips from the American Humane Association to help you and your pets have a fun and safe Halloween.

Let your pets celebrate Halloween, too -- Keep a supply of pet treats handy, and reach for one before you open the door for trick-or-treaters. If your pet sits calmly while the door is open, give her a treat! Try a Halloween-themed collar or bandana to show your pet's spirit, instead of a costume that may be constricting or unsafe.

Safety first -- Put pets in a quiet room away from the commotion to reduce their stress and chance of escape. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with up-to-date ID and rabies tags in case he does escape with the trick-or-treaters. Microchipping your pet is recommended as an added precaution, since a lost pet with a microchip has a greater chance of being reunited with its owner. Also, it's best to keep cats indoors and away from people who may be out to play a mean Halloween prank.

Pet-friendly Halloween decorations -- Instead of an open flame in the jack-o'-lantern, opt for battery-powered, kid- and pet-friendly pumpkins. Open-flame candles and pumpkins with lit candles are especially dangerous because a pet's fur can catch fire. Don't let your pet chew or eat things like crepe-paper streamers; these are often colored with water-soluble dyes that will discolor your pet's mouth and can cause an upset stomach.

Remember: No chocolate and candy! -- Dogs love chocolate as much as humans do, but it is very dangerous for dogs and cats if ingested. Keep all chocolate and candy out of reach of your pets. Have healthy pet treats on hand for your pets, and enjoy the candy and chocolate yourself.

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No More Easter Bunnies Please!

/24-7/ -- Many people give adorable baby bunnies as pets at Easter. In a few weeks the babies grow up, the children lose interest and the rabbits are evicted to fend for themselves or end up in shelters. Thousands of rabbits are waiting in shelters for loving homes. Some of these rabbits have become Super Bunnies and their entertaining show can be found at www.clickerbunny.com and on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE9OXATfF0o). This Easter, give a plush or chocolate bunny as a gift and then visit local shelters as a family to find the perfect bunny for a pet.

Rabbits can make wonderful pets. They are smart and entertaining, each with its own distinct personality. Many baby bunnies are purchased on impulse at Easter without consideration for the long term commitment and care required. Rabbits can live up to 12 years, must be fed and housed properly and require attention, training and vet care just like a cat or dog. The adorable baby bunny grows to an adult in a few weeks and many are neglected, abandoned or surrendered to shelters. Once a family has decided that they want a rabbit for a pet, the best place to look is the local animal shelter or rabbit rescue organization.

Rabbits can be trained to come when called, go into a carrier, use a litter box and other useful and entertaining behaviors. Canadian authors and animal trainers, Joan Orr and Teresa Lewin wrote the book, "Getting Started: Clicking with Your Rabbit" published by Karen Pryor Clickertraining. This is the first ever book on the subject of clicker training rabbits. "We have been getting a terrific response to the bunny book," said Joan Orr. "Many people did not know that rabbits can be trained and can learn as well as dogs can". "Clicking with Your Rabbit is an eye-opening adventure into the minds of rabbits!", said pet journalist Janice Biniok. "I'm for anything that helps us enjoy our pets more, encourages us to build stronger human-animal relationships, or deepens our understanding and appreciation of our fuzzy companions, and this book does it all." The www.clickerbunny.com website provides information, resources and videos for those interested in clicker training their rabbit, ferret or other small pet.

In order to promote adoption of shelter rabbits and to showcase the talents of clicker training rabbits, Andrea Bratt-Frick of BUNS (Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter) in Santa Barbara California (www.bunssb.com) has created the entertaining Super Bunnies video which can be viewed on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE9OXATfF0o). More amazing bunny tricks can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgDHWLyztCI&feature=channel. The House Rabbit Society is promoting the purchase of chocolate rather than live bunnies for Easter through the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign (www.makeminechocolate.org).

Give a chocolate or plush bunny for Easter and then do some research into the care and raising of rabbits and visit your local shelter as a family to pick out the perfect bunny pet.

For information about clicker rabbit training and to see videos of trained rabbits visit www.clickerbunny.com.

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AVMA's Top Ten List on Holiday Pet Health

PRNewswire/ -- Dr. James Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), says he has a very unhappy holiday tradition -- treating pets that have become sick due to holiday excesses.

"From Thanksgiving through Christmas and into New Years, we'll see it every year at my practice, and, unfortunately, some of them can't be saved," Dr. Cook explains. "People want to involve their pets in the holiday celebrations, but people need to focus on keeping their pets healthy. That's the best gift."

Here are the AVMA's top ten holiday health tips:

-- Keep table scraps out of your pet's diet. "Salty, spicy and greasy" can be deadly for pets, Dr. Cook explains. Fatty foods can cause a life-threatening condition called pancreatitis in dogs, and bones can splinter in an animal's stomach. And make sure your dog can't get leftovers from the trash.

-- Chocolate should be out of reach of dogs because it's poisonous. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous -- with baker's chocolate being the most deadly.

-- Avoid sweets. A study reported in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2006 linked xylitol -- a common sweetener in baked goods, candy and chewing gum-with liver failure and death in dogs.

-- Give your pet healthy holiday snacks. Recipes are available on the Internet or visit a pet store/bakery. Ask your veterinarian about healthy treats.

-- Anchor your holiday tree. It's a temptation for pets, and, if it topples, it can cause severe injuries. And keep pets away from the tree water as tree preservatives and sap can cause gastrointestinal problems.

-- Never leave a pet alone with a lit candle or exposed flame, and be wary of exposed extension cords.

-- Don't let pets dine on holiday plants. Poinsettia, holly, cedar, balsam, pine and mistletoe are poisonous.

-- Be careful about ornaments. Cats sometimes consume tinsel and other small decorations, which can block intestines.

-- Don't go off to a holiday party and leave your pet with access to table scraps or anything that might be dangerous. If your dog gets sick while you're away ... it could be a tragic holiday.

-- Finally, don't give a pet as a holiday gift. Giving up a poorly-selected, new pet in January is heartbreaking.

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