Halloween and Pet Safety
Halloween is once again upon us and while it can be a great time of year with beautiful leaves falling and fun costumes with lots of yummy candy, it can also be a dangerous time of year for our pets.
Let’s start with costumes for your pet. If your pet enjoys getting dressed up then great! But, if you have a pet that does not, then consider letting her or him wear just a festive bandana. Halloween is already stressful without making your pet more anxious. For those who do like a fun costume, please make sure it fits comfortably without any tightness that could cause swelling or pain or pull on their fur. A costume should be loose but not enough that your pet could trip on it, this includes trailing pieces. Also, if a costume includes an eye piece or head cover make sure your pet can still easily see and hear. Lastly, make sure there are no extra pieces (bells, balls, bows) that your pet could chew off and potentially cause a bowel obstruction.
On trick or treat night consider putting your pet in a separate quiet room. The regular ringing of the door bell and excited children or strangers can be very upsetting to your pet. Keep all outdoor pets inside as well, so they are not alarmed by the extra foot traffic to your door. Please make sure your pet has their collar and identification on just in case they bolt for the open door. Pets that are afraid are more likely to try to escape and could get lost or worse. If your pet does not have a microchip, please consider having one put in for added protection in case they would get loose.
For those who go out for trick or treating and take your pet with you remember to keep them on a short leash. Excited children may approach your pet and they or their costume may startle your pet and cause them to unexpectedly snap. Also, make sure your pet is easily seen, place a reflective strip on a t-shirt or on their leash and collar, or have them wear reflective gear.
Remember to keep a close eye on holiday décor as well. Fake cobwebs and dangling decorations just beg to be explored but could cause serious intestinal blockages or choking hazards. Jack-o-lanterns that are lit with candles are hard to resist but could burn your friend’s face if they stick it inside the pumpkin or be a fire hazard if they are knocked over. Animated decorations that make sudden moves or noises could scare your pet and cause them to run or be fearful.
Lastly, let’s not forget the bags of candy. You may already know the dangers of chocolate but sugary candies made with xylitol (a sugar substitute, artificial sweetener) are also harmful to pets. Wrappers themselves present a choking hazard and or digestive trouble. The best policy is to just put all candy up in a safe place where your pets can not be tempted by them.
Please keep these few safety concerns in mind this year as you prepare for the festivities so everyone can have a fun time without any extra worries.
