Strangers parading in costumes down your street can potentially cause stress to your pet. Depending on how busy your street becomes, people making loud noises, screaming, laughing, and running can startle pets and cause them to become either timid or aggressive. If this is the case, comfort your pet or keep them in a pet-proof room. It is also not a good idea to take the family dog out trick-or-treating with you. Even if your dog is friendly, anything could happen around strange, new people.
If you decide to really get in the spirit of Halloween and decorate your house, inside or out, be aware of the dangers. Cats more so than dogs could chew on lights, wires and other harmful objects causing serious injury or death, and decoration damage. It is never okay to leave any animal unattended around any type of decorations. Other festive objects can scare your pet like things that have sudden movements or make noises.
You can’t celebrate Halloween without food or candy! Remember that pets shouldn’t have any type of candy whatsoever. They can choke, damage their teeth, get an upset stomach, or even die. Chocolate can be a very fatal treat to pets. All types are chocolate are bad, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that dark or baking chocolate are especially dangerous. The ASPCA also warns against the artificial sweetener xylitol, found in some candies which can also cause problems with your pet’s health.
Make certain if you’re dressing your pets up, their costumes are actually pet friendly. Many costumes may contain dangling parts, loose fabrics, and other things that can be easily chewed, swallowed, or become a choking hazard. Also, the ASPCA says that decorative corn and pumpkins are relatively non toxic but may cause an upset stomach. Candles are an extreme hazard for a spooked or curious pet. The candle can be eaten, knocked over, and injure your pet or even start a fire! So this Halloween pet-proof your home and make it safe. If there is an emergency call your local pet poison control and/or contact our office.
