Halloween Safety for Dogs
Halloween is the spookiest night of the year, but keeping your pets safe doesn't have to be tricky. Every Halloween, veterinarian clinics are bombarded with sick pups who have gotten into trouble on this spooky night. This year, skip the stress and keep your pets safe with these tips.
Stash the Treats
Many of the treats and goodies we enjoy on Halloween are very toxic to dogs. Unlike cats, who tend to be picky eaters, dogs will eat pretty much everything. The treats below are particularly dangerous to your pets, so be sure to keep them out of reach.
- Chocolate: A top ingestion problem on Halloween, chocolate contains Theobromine, which can be harmful and sometimes fatal to dogs. The general rule of thumb is the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it can be for your pup.
- Candies and Gum: Xylitol is a sugar alcohol commonly used as an artificial sweetener in candies and gums and one of the most significant risks for dogs. Large quantities of hard candies and gums can clump up inside the stomach and cause a risk of obstruction.
But toxicity isn't the only concern when it comes to candy. Candy wrappers can also be an issue as they can become lodged inside your pet's throat or intestinal tract, requiring surgery for removal. Keep an eye out for wrappers that are made of foil or cellophane, as they have the potential to cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Keep Decorations and Wires Out of Reach
- Glow Sticks and Glow Jewelry: There is no doubt that glow sticks are an enjoyable Halloween trend for us humans...but for dogs and cats, not so much. For our furry friends, these items look like toys. Glowsticks are filled with an oily liquid called dibutyl phthalate, which can cause mouth pain, irritation and excess saliva when ingested.
- Candles and Battery Operated Decor: Halloween is a holiday primarily celebrated at night, meaning the use of candles and battery-operated decor is high. While a jack-o-lantern is undoubtedly festive, wagging tales and sniffing noses can easily knock over a lit pumpkin. Curious kittens are especially at risk for burns, so use candles with care. And try to keep all battery-operated decor out of reach, as they can be ingested, resulting in an emergency visit to the vet.
Behavior
Even the best-behaved dogs can grow skittish or overwhelmed by a mass amount of people. (Especially if those people are all costumed up) So be sure to keep an eye on your dog's body language to decide the best option for your dog on Halloween. Even if your dog is a social butterfly, she may feel more comfortable away from all the excitement of eager trick-or-treaters.
Walk Your Dog Early
If possible, walk your dog earlier in the night before all the trick-or-treaters come out. If you decide to walk your dog later in the night, she may find dispersed candy, wrappers, and broken eggs on the streets. To make sure your dog stays away from these tempting streets, we recommend taking walks earlier in the night and keeping your dog out of reach from trick-o-treaters.
A strong bond with your dog will help keep them calm during hectic holiday events, like those on Halloween. For the best local dog training, contact Dog Training Elite!