Are you going to dress up your pet for Halloween this year? Celebrating this fun holiday is a great way to kick off fall and welcome pumpkin season, but some of the celebration’s traditions can be dangerous for pets. Tasty treats, nasty tricks, and ill-fitting costumes are a few of the risks your four-legged friend could face. To ensure you recognize the potential holiday dangers and take action to prevent an issue, read our Towne Centre Animal Hospital team’s top tips for pet Halloween safety.
#1: Keep treats out of your pet’s reach
Halloween candy poses several potential threats to your pet’s health. Prevent your pet from experiencing the following treat-related health problems:
- Chocolate toxicosis — Chocolate is toxic to dogs, causing serious neurologic or gastrointestinal (GI) effects. Chocolate’s effects depend on the type (e.g., dark, or milk) a dog consumes and their body weight. Keep in mind that if your dog ingests an overabundance of chocolate, they can die.
- Xylitol toxicosis — Xylitol is an artificial sweetener present in many sugar-free candies, gums, and baked goods. While harmless to people, this substance tricks a dog’s body into releasing insulin, causing an extreme blood sugar crash and possible liver damage.
- Gastroenteritis — Too much of any food, toxic or not, can upset your pet’s stomach and cause vomiting or diarrhea.
- Pancreatitis — If your pet ingests an overly fatty treat or meal, their pancreas can become inflamed.
Keep all candy out of your pet’s reach, and ensure family members don’t store treats in their bedroom for a midnight snack your furry pal can easily sniff out and scarf down! If your pet consumes a toxic treat, contact our Towne Centre Animal Hospital team, a local veterinary emergency facility, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, or the Pet Poison Helpline.
#2: Carefully choose and place decor items out of your pet’s reach
Playful dogs and cats see everything as a toy or snack and the jack-o’-lanterns, spiderwebs, and corn husks around your house may be too tempting for them to ignore. If your pet swallows a decor item, they can experience an intestinal blockage. In addition, if your furry pal chews an electrical cord, they can get a shock. Likewise, a lit candle can burn them. Keep decor out of your pet’s reach and choose each item thoughtfully by considering your pet’s perspective.
#3: Ensure pet costumes fit properly
Costumes can be stressful for many pets. Be honest with yourself when deciding whether your pet will tolerate wearing a garment. If your furry pal doesn’t mind wearing a cute costume, ensure you choose one that fits properly and has no hanging or loose parts your pet could chew or ingest. Your four-legged friend should be able to move freely and expand their chest normally to breathe while wearing their costume.
#4: Keep pets indoors during trick-or-treat hours
Busy streets filled with children in costumes are many pets’ worst nightmare. Although your pet may normally enjoy visiting with strangers, Halloween’s overwhelming and unfamiliar sights and sounds may frighten them. Pets left outside late at night could also fall victim to Halloween vandals. Keep your pet inside in a quiet, welcoming, familiar space, or ensure they stay on a leash close by your side. If your pet tends to bolt when you open the front door, block their access to the area with a gate, or keep them in another room.
#5: Prevent pet anxiety and stress
If a constantly ringing doorbell or strangers approaching your home cause your pet stress or anxiety, you may need to take steps to prepare them for the holiday. To help your pet stay calm during Halloween’s busiest evening hours, our Towne Centre Animal Hospital team can prescribe anti-anxiety medications. You can also try other general stress busters, such as outfitting your pet in an anxiety wrap, using pheromone spray, or playing soothing music while your four-legged friend remains confined to a familiar space, insulated as much as possible from the outside noise. You can also post a sign and leave candy outdoors, asking trick-or-treaters to take one and avoid knocking or ringing the bell.
#6: Ensure your pet has proper identification
An open door is some pets’ invitation to make an escape. Because many people will be out and about on Halloween night, someone may see your unattended pet and bring them back home to you. However, they can only do this if you equip your furry pal with updated identification tags. In addition, during a quick outpatient visit, our Towne Centre Animal Hospital team can easily implant a microchip, a tiny device that links to your contact information. A microchip provides your pet with permanent identification that can’t fall, break, or be removed.
Whether you’re hosting or attending a party, going trick-or-treating with the kids, or staying home to hand out candy, Halloween dangers threaten your pet’s health and safety. Rather than considering Halloween as a fun and exciting holiday, your pet may find the event stressful or upsetting. However, by following our tips, you can help your furry pal stay calm and safe. To have your pet microchipped or refill their anti-anxiety medication, contact our Towne Centre Animal Hospital team for a preholiday consultation.