This Valentine's Day will be spent under lockdown restrictions.

With this in mind, retailers are expecting a shopping boom in romantic treams for other halves, with flowers, chocolate and lingeries high on the shopping list.

But those looking for the perfect romantic gift could be in for a shock, as reasrch from pet food brand Webbox Naturals has found the treats lying round on tables and bedroom floors could be harmful for our beloved 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 (Statista 2021) 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. 

Flowers, sweets, chocolate, and even lingerie could create a health hazard for our furry companions, and as the emergency vet is the least romantic, and last, place you’d want to spend Valentine’s Day, pet-food brand Webbox Naturals has shared some tips on how to keep your furry friends out of harm’s way.

Stay away from poisonous plants and toxic topiary

Keep an eye out for pet-safe 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.

If your cat was to eat just one or two bites, it could quickly result in kidney failure and then death.

Dogs can also have severe reactions to a number of plants such as Clematis, Eucalyptus, Asparagus Fern, Lavender, Peonies and Tulips.

Signs of plant poisoning include lethargy, vomiting or a change in urine levels; so if you’re worried, be sure to call your vets.

Purchase pet-friendly bouquets for your other half, and if you’ve inadvertently landed yourself a bunch from a secret admirer, ensure that you keep them well away from your pet’s reach behind a locked or closed door.

Check out Webbox’s guidance for further information.

News and Star: Picture: PixabayPicture: Pixabay

Picture: Pixabay

Keep Chocolates Locked Up

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. 

Be sure to keep the goodies locked up and out of reach of those pesky paws! The petMD Chocolate Toxicity Meter has a breakdown of the toxicity levels in products, which you should read if you have any around the house. 

News and Star: Ray's Ice Cream parlour on Devizes Road has released a new ice cream for dogs. Pictured Poppy eating her ice-cream. Picture: Thomas Kelsey.

Lingerie can be a pain in the backside!

It might be a taboo subject, but we all do it… leaving our clothes on the floor because we’re lazy, instead of putting them in the laundry basket!

But this bad habit could also create a choking hazard for puppies and pesky pooches.

Stop being lazy and put your clothes back in the cupboard or in the laundry hamper! 

News and Star: Undated handout photo issued by PDSA Bengal crossbreed cat Bobby who has used up one of its nine lives after trapping itself in a washing machine while its owner put it on a 60C cycle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday July 27, 2016. Bobby cl

Sweet tooth? Not for your pooch!

Gummy sweets and heart shaped confectioneries are certainly popular this time of year. However, whilst they might be good for your waistline – sugar free sweets can be extremely toxic to pooches. 

The sugar substitute Xylitol is particularly dangerous, affecting dog’s insulin levels – and can cause seizures, organ failure and even death.

News and Star: Picture: PixabayPicture: Pixabay

Picture: Pixabay

No begging on Valentine’s

According to Webbox Naturals, just under half of pet owners (44 per cent) admit to giving their pet food off their own plate. 

Feeding cats or dogs unsuitable foods could not only cause their pet tummy troubles but could also land them with a hefty unforeseen vet bill. 

TV Vet Paul Manktelow comments: “While feeding a small amount of appropriate human foods to pets can be OK, it’s important to remember what they can have and what they should never be given. 

“There is really no substitute for a proper diet based on nutritional species appropriate food which has all the right vitamins and minerals for your pet.”

Although the occasional snack at the dinner table may be okay for furry friends, pet-specific food is perfectly balanced for pets and contains all of the essential nutrients and vitamins they require. 

News and Star: Picture: PixabayPicture: Pixabay

Picture: Pixabay

Webbox Naturals pet recipe consultant, Camille Ashforth, said: “As a nation of pet lovers and food lovers, we enjoy treating our pets, however it’s important to ensure they are getting all of the right nutrients from their pet-friendly food. The Webbox Naturals range has been carefully developed using high quality ingredients, which are also kind to sensitive tummies.” 

Camille continued: “We are confident even the fussiest of pets will enjoy the humanised recipes we have on offer. The Lamb and Chicken with Sweet Potato, Peas and Mint has scored particularly highly amongst our furry test subjects, making it the perfect healthy dinner for ‘pawfect’ pooches.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.webbox.co.uk/shop/dog-food/wet-food