Halloween pet safety
When it comes to Halloween pet safety, keeping all that Halloween candy out of reach of dog and cat counter-surfers is essential. While your pet really shouldn’t be eating any of it, there are some types of Halloween candy that are particularly toxic to pets, including: Chocolate: Pet parents might love chocolate, but this sweet treat is poisonous to dogs due to the theobromine found in it, which dogs have a harder time digesting.
Raisins and chocolate-covered raisins: Raisins can be extremely toxic to dogs and could lead to kidney failure. Sugar-free candy: Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many foods, including certain sugar-free candies, that’s extremely toxic to dogs and can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, or death. Xylitol doesn’t, however, cause serious problems in cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Caramel apples: First, super-sweet caramel is never a good idea to feed pets. Second, the seeds inside of caramel or candy apples can really make your dog ill as they contain a form of cyanide, Candy corn: Signs associated with ingestion of large amounts of sucrose and glucose are going to be gastrointestinal- severe diarrhea and vomiting, signs of dehydration and abdominal pain may also develop, requiring veterinarian attention.’
Macadamia nuts: These nuts are highly toxic to dogs and eating even a small amount can cause weakness, tremors, and lethargy in dogs.
Remember to keep all Halloween candy-including candy wrappers-away from your pet. Consider storing it in a locked or high cabinet that even the most athletic of pets won’t be able to access. If you suspect your pet has eaten anything toxic, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
Some Halloween decora-tions can also pose a Halloween pet safety risk, such as: Electrical cords: Pets can easily chew on them and get an electric shock or get tangled up. Opt for decorations that run on batteries, rather than electrical cords. Fog machines: You don’t want them to consume the possibly toxic solution. Keep these away from pets or pass on them, period.
Glow sticks: Some pets may mistake these for chew toys. Like fog machines, you don’t want them to consume the possibly toxic solution. While the liquid inside the glow sticks is nontoxic and won’t make pets sick, it tastes awful. Pets who bite into glow sticks may begin drooling and running around the house.
Candles: Lit candles on their own or in jack-o’-lanterns are seasonal favorites, but boy are they fire hazards. Dogs and cats can easily knock them over or burn themselves. So, opt for faux candles or keep them in an area out of pet’s reach.
Small decorations or deco-rations with small baubles: These can be a choking hazard. Skip these types of decorations.
Can you think of anything scarier than one of your pets getting loose? No spooky story or horror movie can compare to that scary scenario! To prevent your pet from slipping out of the house, follow these tips: Keep pets away from the door. With the front door opening and closing so often on Halloween night, it’s best to keep pets away from the door and all the action to prevent them from slipping out, leaving you with a lost pet.
Keep your pets safely crated. During trick-or-treating hours or if you’re having friends over for a Halloween get-together, the best course of action is to keep your pets safely crated and outof-sight of the front door, advises Dr. Howe-Fanning. Or keep them in a secure, quiet room. Be sure you add some creature comforts to their secured space such as their bed, water, food, your cat’s litter box, and a favorite toy.
