Halloween Safety Tips for Fido
Halloween is a fun time of the year. Candy, jack-o-lanterns, candles, costumes, and outings to trick-or-treat are among Halloween celebrations. Unfortunately, parts of the spooktacular festivities can be scary for pets and hazardous to their health. This is why NuVet Labs is proud to re-post this article with updated Halloween safety tips for you to employ to keep your four-legged companion safe and happy this Halloween.
Watch the Candy Bowl
The Pet Poison Helpline experiences a significant increase in the number of calls during this time of year. Many human treats and decorations are very dangerous for your dog. Keep the candy bowl where your dog cannot get at it.
Chocolate is high on the list of culprits that can be harmful to dogs at Halloween. The degree of distress and severity of symptoms varies depending on the type and amount of chocolate ingested. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for your canine companion. Small amounts of any chocolate may cause stomach issues while large amounts can be fatal. As a result, it should be avoided at all times.
Candy in general is not something your dog should be eating anyway so keep it in a secure location and make sure to explain to children the importance of keeping their trick-or-treating bounty away from Fido.
Sugar free candies and gum that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol are also poisonous to dogs and cats. Xylitol is estimated to be 100 times as toxic as chocolate to dogs, and the number of cases of xylitol poisoning seem to be on the rise. The Pet Poison Helpline recorded about 300 cases of xylitol poisoning in 2009. In 2015, there were over 2,800 cases.
Professional Care
Ingestion of toxic candy and gum is only part of the problem. Most dogs do not take time to unwrap treats before gobbling them. Foil and cellophane wrappers can result in gastrointestinal and bowel obstruction. The condition requires veterinary care that may include surgery to remove an obstruction.
Single serving boxes of raisins are becoming a popular healthy treat to hand out to beggars when they knock on the door. Raisins are healthy for humans, but they can be extremely toxic to pets. Ingestion of grapes and raisins by a pet can quickly turn into a true emergency.
If you suspect that your pet has eaten a toxic or harmful substance contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) immediately. Pet Poison Helpline is an animal poison control service available throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean for pet owners and veterinary professionals. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for those who require assistance with treating a potentially poisoned pet. Have your credit card handy. There is a $49 per incident fee that covers the initial consultation as well as all follow-up calls associated with the management of the case.
Decoration Safety
Poisonous treats aren’t the only hazard your pet might face at Halloween. Halloween really takes the cake when it comes to decorations. Although these are fun, it is crucial to keep all chords and other electrical parts secure and away from Fido. Real and battery powered candles used to light jack-o-lanterns can also be dangerous. If your pet topples a carved pumpkin with a real candle, he can be singed, receive a serious burn, or cause a fire.
Ingested batteries from flameless candles or flashlights can be corrosive to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Any decorations with small pieces that can become unattached should be closely monitored or avoided to prevent your pup from ingesting them. Although pumpkin is generally non-toxic to dogs, it is best to keep them out of your dog’s reach. If ingested, it can cause gastrointestinal distress. If any of the Halloween decorations are ingested, a trip to the veterinarian may be in order.
Make Sure Fido Likes His Costume
Dressing pets in costumes has become popular with some folks. When selecting a costume for your pooch, make sure he likes it too. This means that the costume should be comfortable and allow for a full range of motion. Make sure the pet can breathe easily, see clearly, and that his movement is not restricted. If you notice your dog is uncomfortable or seem stressed out when wearing his outfit – no matter how cute he looks in it – take it off.
Keep Fido in Another Room
To prevent Fido from darting out the door when trick-or-treaters arrive or from getting overly excited with the candy-seeking masses, keep your pooch in a secure room where he can rest comfortably. The constant bell-ringing in addition to the costume wearing traffic may possibly agitate your four-legged friend, which you definitely want to avoid.
Don’t Take Fido Trick-or-Treating
Although it’s a lot of fun for families and children your dog may feel a little differently. With all the excitement and people in the neighborhood Fido may become frightened or anxious when confronted with lots of children and adults – especially ones that are dressed in costumes. Imagine how it might appear to your dog. To make sure everybody is having a good time, keep your pooch inside. If he needs to use the bathroom restrict him to the backyard and on a leash.
If you and your dog do find yourselves outside on Halloween then make sure to increase your pooches visibility. Reflective tape is really helpful. Place some on your dog’s costume or on his collar and leash where it can be seen. While you’re at it, slap some on yourself as well. It can’t hurt.
Keeping Fido Safe
Enjoy your Halloween, but keep your pets safe from traditional Halloween decorations and festivities that may be dangerous for them.
Remember, keeping your four-legged companions safe and happy this Halloween can be easy. Good nutrition can also be simple, which is why so many pet parents have turned to NuVet Plus when providing their pups with superior quality nutrition. Comprised of highest quality ingredients, dogs everywhere are experiencing the benefits of this amazing supplement.