As much as you and your children might enjoy Halloween, this particular holiday
can be a stressful one for pets. They don’t understand why you have decorations
and carved pumpkins with candles in them around the house and naturally feel
curious enough to investigate. Your dog or cat may end up swallowing something
inedible or even starting a fire by knocking over a candle. These are just two of
several Halloween safety concerns to keep in mind. Bristol Vet Service wants to
provide the following safety tips to help keep your pets safe and happy during the
month of October.
Don’t Share Your Candy
If anyone breaks out the treats before Halloween, instruct them not to share with
the family pet regardless of how much he stares at them with sad eyes.
Chocolate is especially problematic for pets because it can cause diarrhea,
vomiting, and other symptoms associated with gastric distress. The artificial
sweetener Xylitol may cause similar problems. If you really want to give your pet
a treat, order something especially created for pets from our online store .
Pets Should Remain Indoors
The doorbell ringing and seeing groups of excited children at the door can be too
much for your pet to handle. He may try to slip out the door or even become
aggressive. To avoid these issues, plan to keep your dog or cat in an area of the
house where you can close the door, and reduce noise and anxiety causing
stimuli. Be sure to provide his food, bedding, and toys while he stays in the room
and check in frequently to make sure he’s okay. You can even buy food puzzles
(which lengthen time your pet engages with his food) or toys from our online
store to help pass the time.
Another reason pets should stay inside is that October 31 tends to bring out
people who like to play pranks or are deliberately cruel to animals. Due to
unfounded superstitions about them, this is especially true of black cats. The
problem is so widespread that many animal shelters will not allow people to
adopt a black cat on or near Halloween.
How to Choose a Safe Costume
Some stores sell such adorable Halloween costumes for pets that it can be hard
to resist buying one. If you choose to dress up your dog or cat, be sure you’re
always nearby to supervise. Ensure he has no breathing obstructions and can
see clearly. Very importantly, watch him carefully for signs of irritation, discomfort
or fear which may indicate that he is probably not enjoying being dressed up for
the event. Also remember that your pet might chew on the costume and end up
swallowing a piece of it. A close eye on your pet’s environment is definitely a
“must” for Halloween.
Should you experience an emergency with your pet, call us at 262-859-2560. If it
is after hours, you’ll be directed for the appropriate number to call. Happy
Halloween from the staff of Bristol Vet Service!
Image credit: JasonOndreicka / Stock / Getty Images Plus