It's that time of year again... adorable kids (and more than a few adults) dressed up as their favorite characters or scary monsters... excited, sugar-charged and running from door to door to collect their loot. Imagine how terribly frightening it would be to encounter this if you are a small dog? Although many pets take Halloween in stride, I'm always amazed any of them do. After all, it's not like they expect humans to dress like this & sometime I wonder if they even recognize those costumed supercharged children are human. Given the high pitched screeching, it's a wonder they don't think they're gremlins!Halloween is fraught with potential hazards for our pets, but by being armed with common sense and a bit of information, you can insure your pets are safe and not emotionally traumatized.
Toxins - Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine and can be toxic to dogs if they ingest significant quantities. If they don't eat enough to actually be poisoned by it, it can still cause tremendous problems with vomiting and diarrhea. The dark chocolate is more toxic than mild chocolate, but it all can cause major tummy upset. Signs of chocolate toxicity include tremors, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures and death. Encourage the kids to not share their loot with the family dog. And keep that bowl of candy well out of reach on All Hallow's Eve so Fido doesn't self serve! The other really scary food item is the one the dentists recommend… sugar-free products. Most sugar-free gums and candies are sweetened with Xylitol, which does crazy things to a pet's blood sugar and liver and can be fatal. Be extra careful if you are handing out Xylitol based sugar-free treats. Lollipop sticks can get lodged in the intestines, creating a non-poisonous but serious hazard too. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Other Physical Dangers - Candles fascinate some cats and can be easily knocked over by excited pooches, so be extra cautious with lit candles. Also, if you have extra lighting or decorations on electric cords or extension cords, make sure they are out of chewing range for dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits. Electric cord shocks can be fatal and cause nasty burns. In Crystal Beach especially, watch out for roving golf carts if your dog goes trick or treating with you! Never allow pets loose and unsupervised outdoors around Halloween, especially black cats. Halloween pranks committed against pets can be vicious, and black cats are particularly at risk due to the superstitions about them.
Pet Costumes - As much as we are amused by dressing our pets up for the holiday, it can be stressful for some of them. If your pet looks miserable in a costume, try to be satisfied with a festive bandanna If they do like costumes, be careful there aren't any dangling pieces they could chew off or get tangled in. And make sure they are supervised at all times when in costume. The elastic can get caught in their hair or tangled around a limb and cause pain and swelling. And they shouldn't be running loose outdoors in their outfit as it could get caught on branches or fencing.
Fear & Excitement - Strangely dressed hoards of screaming children at the front door can be pretty frightening for a pet. They may not behave as usual and they may even feel the need to get fierce and bite at the kids to protect you or may try to run out the door to get away from them. It's generally safest to walk the dogs before the kids come out at sunset and then confine them indoors to a safe and quiet area far from the front door. A bit of music can help mask the loud noises from outside. If you think they are up to being free in the house, monitor them closely to see how they react to the kids and make sure they have on a collar with ID and a microchip should they unexpectedly bolt for the door. That will greatly increase the chances of being reunited with you should they get loose.
Keep the fur kids safe and have a blast on Halloween!