Candy, cornstalks, and costumes, oh my!
For us humans, Halloween is a fun, festive time. But for our pets, it can be way more frightful than delightful.
How can you make sure all the four-legged members of your family stay safe and happy this Halloween?
Keep calm and follow these 5 Halloween pet safety tips.
1. Keep the Candy Bowl Out of Reach
Is candy bad for dogs and cats? In a sugarcoated nutshell, yes!
Chocolate, particularly baking or dark chocolate, can be very dangerous and even deadly to pets.
Signs of chocolate poisoning in pets:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Rapid breathing
- Increased heart rate
Xylitol, found in many sugar-free candies, is also a big no-no for pets. It can cause vomiting, seizures or liver failure in as little as 15 minutes after ingestion.
Also, it may seem hard to do in the frenzy of the festivities, but pick up those candy wrappers! If your dog eats a small candy wrapper, it’s likely that the wrapper will just pass through the digestive system without incident. But there is a chance that a larger candy wrapper could cause a blockage.
Watch for vomiting or trouble eliminating and call the vet right away if you’re concerned.
2. Bring Your Outdoor Cat In
It’s a sad but true fact that Halloween can be a time of increased cruelty to animals, especially black cats. (That’s why most shelters won’t adopt out black cats during the month of October.)
Take extra precaution with all your pets and keep them indoors for a few days, both before and after Halloween night.
3. Be Leery of Lit Pumpkins
Halloween candy dangers aren’t the only thing to fear this season when you have pets. Even those friendly-faced jack-o-lanterns can pose a risk to pets.
If curious cats or clumsy dogs knock over a lit pumpkin, it could start a fire. Kittens can also get their tails singed by candle flames when they’re exploring.
4. “Can I See Some ID, Please?”
Make sure your dog’s ID is up-to-date before Halloween night and that he’s wearing said ID. Your dog could actually dart out the door if he’s scared or excited by trick-or-treaters.
Now is also a good time to microchip your dog if you haven’t done so already. (Unless you have a social butterfly that’s also super mindful, it’s best to put your dog in a separate area on Halloween night to avoid any problems!)
5. Be Careful with Halloween Pet Costumes
You may love that Halloween pet costume you crafted, but your pet may consider it a Pinterest fail. In order to keep your pet’s anxiety in check, make sure your pet actually likes the costume before wearing it on the big day.
Also, you’ll want to make sure your pet’s Halloween costume fits properly. It should not impede your pet’s movement, sight, or vocals (woofs and meows.) Also, if you have a “chewer,” avoid dangly items that could be choking hazards.
Happy Howlaween!
All of your pet pals here at Oxyfresh wish you and your furry family members a safe, CALM and happy Halloween.
