KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN Miranda Webb Halloween: it’s the best time of the year! Fall, fun, festivities… it can be an amazing time to spend with friends and family. This time of year can also be extremely stressful for pets and pet owners. Here are some ways to keep your pets safe this Halloween.
KEEP YOUR PETS AWAY FROM CANDY Like all days of the year, Halloween is no exception for dogs and their sensitivity to chocolate. All chocolate – most prominently dark chocolate or baked chocolate – is extremely harmful to pets. 1Halloween candies should be kept out of your pet’s reach, regardless of if the candy is packaged or not. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures; if your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, they must be taken to their vet to be properly examined. Other dangers found in non-chocolate containing candies include the artificial sweetener xylitol, which can be just as deadly to dogs and cats as chocolate. Reactions that xylitol can include any thing as mundane as a sudden drop in blood sugar or as life threatening as loss of coordination, seizures, and liver failure.
MAKE SURE PET COSTUMES ARE PET-FRIENDLY
Don’t get me wrong- who doesn’t want to see a cat dressed up as a pumpkin? Halloween costumes for your pet during this festive time can be extremely fun and merry. Nonetheless, before putting your pet in anything, ensure that there are no small choking hazards and that the costume fits comfortably. Some things to be cautious for is that the costumes do not interfere with your pet’s breathing, sight, hearing, or movement. This is to be especially noted if you plan to take your pet trick or treating in said costume. Take the extra time this year to secure your pet’s safety for this festive holiday!2
NO MORE GLOW STICKS Or at least… not near your pets. The light of glow sticks can be extremely attractive to animals, and the product (or “glow”) inside can be harmful. The liquid that makes the product glow isn’t necessarily toxic or deadly, but it is dangerous to pets as it makes them overly salivate and act in unusual ways. To avoid this issue, keep glow sticks out of your pet’s reach.
KEEP PETS HIDDEN AWAY OR EASILY IDENTIFIABLE
With a constant influx of kids running in and out of the door, Halloween can be a stressful time for pets. Pets can be kept away in other rooms, to prevent the possibility of them getting out. Keeping a microchip or identification collar on your pet in the case of an emergency can be helpful as well.3
KEEP YOUR PET SAFE WHILE TRICK OR TREATING If you do plan to bring your pet trick or treating with you, be sure to keep them secured on a sturdy collar, harness, or leash. It is important to be cautious around unfamiliar people and animals; remember that your pet may be on edge due to a large crowd as well as the costumes.
Halloween is a holly time full of fun and festivities with family and friends. These precautions can be used as a way to keep this holiday safe for our furry friends. Keep your loved ones safe this Halloween!
References Avma.org, www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/halloween.aspx. “Halloween Safety Tips | Hill’s Pet.” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, www.hillspet.com/dog-care/routine-care/dog-halloween-safety-tips. “PetMD, LLC.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_multi_halloween_safety_tips.
1 “PetMD, LLC.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_multi_halloween_safety_tips.
2 Avma.org, www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/halloween.aspx.
3 “Halloween Safety Tips | Hill’s Pet.” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, www.hillspet.com/dog-care/routine-care/dog-halloween-safety-tips.