PARK HILL VET: Keep Our Furry Friends Safe At Halloween
Beware Of Lurking Dangers For A Scary-Free Holiday
By Margot K. Vahrenwald, DVM, CVJ
Halloween is just around the corner and I fully expect that there will be some pent-up demand by the small humans for proper celebrating with costumes and candy.
While costumes and candy are great for children (and dentists), it is a potentially scary holiday for our pets. Review the following for ways to make Halloween less spooktacular for your pets:
1. While we enjoy our candy and other treats, they are not so agreeable to our pets’ tummies.
• Party treats like brownies or cupcakes are delicious, but are too rich and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, even pancreatitis.
• Chocolate with high cocoa content is highly toxic. Keep chocolate and all candy out of reach of pets.
• Sugarless candy and treats very often contain highly toxic xylitol. Make sure to look at all food and treat labels. Xylitol is becoming more frequently added to many products, including baked goods, peanut butter, drink powders, pudding, ketchup, barbeque sauce, pancake syrups and more.
2. Haunting décor can be ghoulishy entertaining but can pose a threat to pets indoors or outdoors.
• Make sure wires and plugs are pet safe.
• Small décor items offer their own hazards. Small plastics like eyeballs and fingers can pose a choking hazard.
• Avoid candles with real flames that can easily cause burns or be knocked over. The waste products from candle flames are also toxic to birds.
• Glow sticks and fake blood products can contain pet-toxic chemicals.
• Outdoor lights, cobwebs and other décor can choke or tangle up pets or wildlife, so place carefully.
3. Costumes are cool except when they are not.
• Scary costumes on humans can create fear and increased anxiety for many pets. Consider keeping pets away from the pre-trick-or-treating preparations and costume parties.
• Pets in costume are adorable, but not every pet is going to tolerate them, so choose carefully. Minimal costumes are more comfortable. Masks and hats should not be left on longer than it takes to a take a cute picture.
• Remove any bits that are chewable or pose a choking hazard from a costume.
4. Indoors is safest, and all the sidewalk ghouls can be terrifying.
• The increased noise and pedestrian traffic can make pets very nervous, along with frequently ringing doorbells. Consider sitting outside to avoid that stressor and prevent anyone furry bolting through the door.
• If you are hosting an All Hallow’s Eve bash, keep pets away from the main event in a quiet area of the home. Dogs can be crated with a special chew, and a spritz of Feliway™ can help kitty chill out.
• Keep pets indoors for Halloween night (and even the nights before and after) as they can be targeted for pranks or abuse.
• Make sure ID tags or collars are on pets just in case there is an escapee.
• Black cats should be encouraged to be indoors for safety.
Keep everyone safe and enjoy a fun Halloween.
Dr. Margot Vahrenwald is the owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center at 2255 Oneida St. For more information, visit www.parkhillvet.com.