Valentine’s Day risks

With Valentine’s Day under lockdown, spent away from restaurants and bars, retailers are expecting a boom in romantic treats this year, with flowers and chocolates high on the shopping list.

But people could be in for a shock, as our research has found that some treats could be harmful for our pets, and has the potential to land the nation with up to £4m in unwanted vet bills.

A quarter of the UK’s households own a cat or dog and with the average vet bill costing £60, even if just one per cent encounter a bad reaction to flowers, sweets or food, it could cost UK pet owner’s a hefty £4,170,000.

Keep an eye out for petsafe bouquets this year, and double check with your florist if you’re unsure.

Be particularly aware of, and avoid, any Hemerocallis and Lilium species, which includes lilies, which can be

fatally toxic - especially to felines.

Chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, high blood pressure and even respiratory failures and cardiac arrests in dogs.

The darker the chocolate, the worse it is, and more likely to cause damage.

Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, stimulants that are highly dangerous to dogs.

Larger dogs will be more resilient to poisoning, but under no circumstance should any chocolate be given to dogs.

Camille Ashforth,

Webbox Naturals pet recipe consultant.