How to Keep Pets Safe on Halloween
Many people consider pets to be part of their family, so it makes sense to include them in their holiday celebrations. Whether it’s putting leftover turkey in a bowl after Thanksgiving dinner, or wrapping toys to rip them apart on Christmas morning, these traditions tend to be more for humans than their pets (but they’re not going to give up seasonal poultry.) …
This also includes Halloween. First, there is the temptation to dress them up in a costume (adorable, of course, but if your pet doesn’t seem to appreciate their outfit and it’s annoying it, it’s probably better to skip it ). It’s also a good idea to think about how to keep your pet safe on Halloween night and the rest of the year. Here’s what you need to know.
What you need to know about Halloween pet safety
As it turns out, some of the most popular aspects of Halloween can be dangerous to pets. Here’s what to look out for during the treats and the rest of the Halloween season.
Candy
You probably already know that dogs are not allowed to eat chocolate, but it should also be kept away from other pets . There is a good reason for this: it can lead to hyperactivity, heart damage, seizures, or even death.
If your dog somehow ends up eating some chocolate, take it to the veterinarian immediately – assuming the office is less than half an hour away, Dr.Mark Magazu, a veterinarian at St. Francis Veterinary Center of South Jersey, told Newsradio KYW . If it takes longer, Magazu recommends giving your dog hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting – roughly one teaspoon for every five pounds.
Aside from chocolate, candy that contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can be bad news for pets. “Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia, seizure or change, or even damage to the liver,” Dr. Ken Drobats, professor of emergency medicine at Penn Vet, told Newsradio KYW .
Pumpkin
They can be a staple in fall décor, but pumpkins can also be dangerous to pets. Fresh, fresh pumpkins are fine, but if your pet swallows rotten and / or moldy pumpkins, they may be poisonous due to fungal neurotoxins, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center .
And if you choose jack flashlights, use battery- powered candles, not real ones, as this could cause a fire.
Decorations
Make sure all other jewelry is suitable for dogs and cats. This means avoiding anything that might hit them, wrap them around the neck, or be eaten, which can cause serious intestinal damage , Drobac says .