[Janelle Ward]

Valentine’s Day, like Halloween, has become a ‘thing’. You can ignore it but thousands won’t and many actually find it offensive, such as lonely singles.

And it puts a much-loved household pet in jeopardy. Really.

In a Valentine’s Day ad, underwear specialist Bras N Things encourages women to love themselves above all others. There are warnings about the inflated cost of chocolates, with a survey saying the average jump is 7 per cent.

But cats are (potentially) the biggest losers.

Valentine’s is the busiest day on the floral calendar, but according to the RSPCA, purchasing one popular bloom could lead to tragedy.

That bloom is lilies, which are extremely toxic to cats and could result in life-threatening issues if ingested.

The RSPCA is warning cat owners to avoid buying lily plants at all costs, as even fallen bits of pollen could end a pet’s life.

“From the water in the vase to the lily’s stem, and even fallen bits of pollen, consumption of any segment of a lily may prove deadly for your cat,” says veterinarian Dr Gemma Ma.

“A kitty ingesting even small amounts can still cause rapid kidney failure, which may prove fatal within 36 to 72 hours after ingestion.”

Do you studiously avoid all acknowledgement of Valentine’s Day? Or embrace it as a bit of fun?

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