Halloween and Pets
February 20, 2016
Halloween can be a fun and spooky time of year for pets and their owners!
But keeping your pets safe and happy might be something we don’t think too much of around Halloween. According to the ASPCA, taking the following precautions can help keep your pets happy and healthy through the end of October.
Conceal the Candy
Those candy bags and bowls hold all sorts of delicious and mouth-watering sweets that unfortunately we cannot share with our sweet fur babies. But that doesn’t stop them from trying to get a hold of a few pieces to munch on! There are many kinds of popular treats that can be very toxic to pets. One of the most common candy ingestions many veterinary clinics see is chocolate – which can be very dangerous for both cats and dogs, especially dark or baking chocolate. It is also important to be aware of any sugar-free candies that contain the artificial sweetener, “xylitol” which can cause serious complications in pets. If you are concerned your pet has ingested something that is toxic, either take your pet to your veterinarian or the closest emergency animal hospital or you can call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Festive Decorations
We all know pets can be very curious about new smells or festive decorations we place around the house during the holidays. It’s important to be conscious of lit pumpkins or candle flames when placing them around your house.
Cute & Crazy Costumes
Even though our dogs and cats look incredibly precious in their police officer costume or their fairy tutu, they may actually be feeling stressed or uncomfortable. The ASPCA recommends not dressing up pets unless you are absolutely positive they enjoy wearing the costume. It’s important to examine the costume for any pieces that can easily be chewed off causing a choking hazard. Pets should also not be limited with their movement while wearing the outfit or having difficulties breathing, barking, or meowing.
Ghoulish Visitors
Like many other holidays, it is important we remember that high volumes of activities and visitors can sometimes be scary and stressful to our pets. Dogs or cats that do not do well with socializing should be kept in a separate room to minimize stress. It is also important to ensure your pet has proper identification that way if for any reason he/she were to escape, a collar with tags or a microchip can bring your fur baby back home safely.
For more helpful information, please visit ASPCA’s website at www.aspca.org.