A Safe Halloween For Your Pets

     As the anticipation of a fun-filled Halloween in Cedar Falls draws near, don’t forget to keep an eye on your furry family members.  Halloween can be a dangerous time for any pet.  The following are some tips to ensure a safe and happy holiday.

     Minimize the amount of time your pet spends outside alone on the days preceding Halloween, the holiday itself, and for a few days after.  This is especially important for black cats.  There are numerous accounts of malicious pranks involving animals that can result in injury and even death. 

     The vets at Taylor Veterinary Hospital don't want you to share your Halloween “loot” with your pets.  Items such as candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can be harmful if ingested.  Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures, or death.  Baking and dark chocolate contain more theobromine per ounce than milk chocolate, and therefore smaller amounts are more harmful.  Candy or gum containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs.  Even small amounts can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination, seizures, or death.  If your pet does eat something inappropriate, call Taylor Veterinary Hospital at 319-277-1883 to determine what should be done.

    Keep Jack-O-Lanterns with lit candles at a safe distance from pets.  Curiosity or a wagging tail could easily cause a pumpkin to get knocked over and potentially start a fire.  A lit candle could also singe an animal’s fur or cause serious burns.

    Many people love to dress-up their pets, but your pet may not feel the same way.  Some animals love the attention, but others are already nervous with the Halloween festivities, and a costume only exacerbates the situation.  Even the nicest animal can become aggressive if his/her breathing, vision, and movements are restricted.  If you decide to dress-up your pet, choose an appropriate costume, and avoid using hair gels or paints, as they can cause health problems if licked off and swallowed.

    Consider confining your pet to a separate room when trick-or-treaters start arriving.  Strange people in strange costumes can frighten animals and cause them to react in various ways.  Animals may feel the need to protect the house and its occupants and respond by barking or biting, or your pet may try to escape when the door is opened.  Make sure proper identification is on your pet’s collar to make for a quick return in case your pet does escape. 

     There is no doubt about it; Halloween can be a stressful time for your pets.  As much as you would like to include them in your holiday activities, remember that pets don’t understand what all the excitement is about.  Look at Halloween from a pet’s point of view.  For more information on keeping your pets safe this Halloween, contact us at TaylorVet.com.

 

Chad Smith, D.V.M.