Valentine's Day treats for pets

Pets are often lucky enough to receive a special treat on Valentine's Day. And sometimes they decide to dig into gifts their owners have received. The ASPCA has issued a useful list of guidelines for pet owners to keep their dogs and cats safe during the season of temptations:

-- Make sure you keep your chocolates out of reach. Any form of chocolate, whether semi-sweet, milk, dark or baker's, is potentially poisonous to your pet. Should your pet ingest some, call your vet immediately.

-- Keep pets away from your flower arrangements. Animals adore sniffing anything new that comes into the house and they might take a bite out of your red roses. This could give them an upset stomach. Keep cats especially away from lilies, which are particularly dangerous. Call your vet if your pet has munched on your flowers.

-- Gum and candy may contain the sweetener xylitol, which can be toxic to pets, especially dogs. Stash these items in a cabinet or drawer away from curious animals.