Halloween is around the corner, and while you may be looking for a good scare, your pet might be searching for a place to hide. Halloween night poses myriad hazards to pets, and your furry pal can experience significant harm. Our Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital team shares tips to keep your pet safe on Halloween night. Help your furry pal avoid a fright and find delight!
Pets and sweets are no treat
This time of year, candy’s easy to find.
But for your pet’s sake, keep these words in mind:
Candy and chocolate are a sugary feast.
For us they’re a treat, but for pets, not the least.
A small nibble may seem like no big deal,
But your pet won’t enjoy how it makes them feel.
So when you indulge in your sweet delight,
Keep it far from your pet and out of their sight.
Several common Halloween treats are toxic to pets. To protect your pet from toxic substances, store your candy in a spot they cannot reach, and remind children to refrain from sharing their Halloween candy haul with their furry friend. Keep these toxic ingredients away from your pet:
- Chocolate — Pets can’t resist chocolate’s sweet smell and taste, but unfortunately, chocolate products are highly dangerous for dogs and cats. In fact, chocolate ingestion is the most common Halloween pet emergency. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine that act as stimulants and can cause cardiac and neurologic changes. Although dark and bitter chocolate are the most toxic for pets, if your pet ingests a large enough quantity of milk chocolate, they can experience cardiovascular issues and gastrointestinal (GI) effects.
- Xylitol — This sugar substitute, a common ingredient in sugar-free and keto-friendly candy, gum, and snacks, is toxic to dogs. If your pooch ingests xylitol, they can rapidly develop hypoglycemia and liver failure.
- Plain and chocolate-covered raisins — Raisins can be extremely toxic to pets and can lead to kidney failure. When covered in chocolate, raisins are significantly toxic to pets.
- Candy corn — This popular Halloween staple contains mostly sugar and artificial colors, which can cause your pet to experience stomach upset or other digestive health issues.
- Candy wrappers — Candy wrappers can also be dangerous. If your pet ingests a candy wrapper, they can develop an intestinal blockage, which may require surgical removal.
An open door invites pets to explore
Trick-or-treaters abound on Halloween night.
A pet who runs out the door can cause quite a fright.
Keep your pet secure and away from the door,
So they can’t slip outside to go explore.
Handing out candy to adorably dressed trick-or-treaters can be fun, and to keep everyone safe, you should secure your pet away from the door. Overzealous pets can greet trick-or-treaters with too much enthusiasm, and anxious pets may see the open door as a chance to escape the chaos. To prevent your pet from bolting out the open door and becoming lost, keep them secure in an interior room. In the event that your pet gets loose, they should always wear a collar and identification tags with your current contact information, so they can be returned. If your pet is already microchipped, ensure your contact information in the microchip company’s database is up-to-date. However, if your pet isn’t microchipped, schedule their simple microchip insertion procedure with our Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital team before Halloween.
Dress your pet to impress, but a safe pet is best
Nothing is cuter than a pet all dressed up,
But costumes can be stressful for your kitty and pup.
If your pet appears stressed, let them go costume-free,
Or choose a festive bandana, and then let them be.
Halloween pet costumes are adorable, but your furry pal may find the dressing-up ordeal stressful. Consider your pet’s temperament before deciding to dress them up. If your pet will tolerate wearing a costume, choose one that fits properly without restricting their movement or breathing ability. Ensure your pet’s costume has no small parts that they could chew off and ingest. In addition, always supervise your pet when they are in costume. If your pet won’t tolerate wearing a costume, simplify by dressing them in a festive bandana or collar.
Halloween can be fun for you and your pet.
By taking precautions, your pet will be set.
If your pet gets into trouble on Halloween night,
Contact Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital team so we can help make things right.
