Common (and uncommon) claims in the season of love

As the old saying goes, the taste of love is sweet. But sometimes, the flavor of love can lead to unexpected veterinary visit for our pets. How do you protect your pets from the kind of Valentine’s Day mishaps that can turn a celebration of loved ones into heartache when the vet bill arrives?

Valentine’s Day pet safety tips

Even small amounts of alcohol can be toxic for dogs, so keep your canine valentine away from the bubbly. Occasionally, dogs will also drink from unattended glasses—it’s important to keep boozy bevies up high and out of paw’s reach.

Make sure floral bouquets are cat-safe and don't include flowers like lilies or tulips, which are extremely toxic when ingested. Even a small amount of pollen from a lily can cause life-threatening health complications. Maybe stick to roses, which are safe and always smell so sweet (no matter what you call them).

Romantic candlelit dinners are lovely, but ensure candles are placed where pet birds can’t knock them over. Air quality is very important to avian health and smoke/particulate material from fireplaces, candle burning and other sources may cause respiratory issues. If you have feathered friends around, keep the air clear!

Bad romance

Our pets are always looking for new and creative ways to express their love. However, sometimes a romantic gesture takes a turn for the unexpected—and leads to a surprise visit to the veterinarian.

Take for example Jackie, a Manchester terrier mix from Indianapolis, Indiana, who got all dolled up for a night out, complete with fragrances and lip gloss. Just kidding—she ate them out of the junk drawer.

“At first, I couldn’t believe that she was able to get the drawer open,” said Jackie’s pet dad, Nick. “Then I noticed the items missing and I knew she needed to go to the emergency animal hospital right away.” Luckily, the terrier was able to pass the foreign objects on her own with the help of some powerful laxatives (a romantic scene to be sure).

Perhaps the most unexpected claim goes to Cheddar, a mixed-breed pooch from Connecticut who was nearly crushed by the romantic lighting of a chandelier. It all started when some burned bacon flooded the kitchen with delicious-smelling smoke. As Cheddar's uncle used a jacket to try and fan out the smoke, he accidentally clipped the lighting fixture overhead.

"It shattered and glass went everywhere," remembers Marc, Cheddar's dad. “I wasn’t sure if it had hit Cheddar at first. He didn’t act like anything was wrong, but then I saw blood on his head.” Fortunately, the falling chandelier missed Cheddar’s eye, and he was fully recovered within a few weeks.

Both pets are past nominees for the Hambone Award, an annual contest featuring the most wild and unusual pet insurance claims of the year. While all the pets mentioned here made full recoveries and their pet parents received reimbursement for their eligible veterinary expenses, their stories remind us of the surprising situations pets can get into any day—including romance time.

Protection for when puppy love turns into a hefty vet bill

Protect the pets you love to love with Nationwide®. If the unexpected happens, pet insurance can help ensure that you can get care for your pet without worrying about the cost. Nationwide offers reimbursement for injuries, illnesses and more, for common (and very uncommon) situations that our pets get in. Get a quote today at petinsurance.com.