Hallowag is upon us and you know what that means! Candy, costumes, parties and fun! Let’s make sure it’s a safe one for both you and your pet.
Question – Do you know what are we celebrating?
Halloween dates back to Celtic times (about 2000 years ago!). October 31st marked the end of summer and harvest and the beginning of winter. The day was believed to represent the boundary of life(spring, summer and fall) and death (winter). Celts celebrated with great fires and costumes, sort-of like the celebrations we have now.
Now that you are up to date with your history, let’s review how to keep your pets safe this Halloween:
o Make sure your pet is wearing an up-to-date tag. Whether you are out and about or home handing out candy, there will be many chances for your pet to run off or try to! Your dog may be startled by the costumes and constant knocking, or perhaps your cat will want to check out some colorful attire. Either way, should your pet be lost, a tag will increase the chances of you two meeting up again.
o Is your dog aggressive? Curious? Easily frightened? Make sure you know how your pet reacts to strangers and plan ahead for the appropriate accommodations. You may crate your pet, put up a pet gate, or simply keep your pet as far as possible from your home’s main entrance.
o Wag'N tails...can sometimes knock over candles! Keep candles, jack-o-lanterns, decorations and ornaments out of reach for both your pets and small children. Halloween lights can cause digestive upsets or electrocution if swallowed, while electrical cords can cause electrocution if chewed. Finally, batteries (you know, the other way to power your lights) can cause electrocution and poses a fire hazard if chewed.
o Ensure that everyone in your household understands how dangerous candy and chocolate can be to pets. Bromamine, found in chocolate, and Xylitol, found in candy and gum are EXTREMELY toxic to dogs. Keep an eye on your dog to make sure he doesn’t sneak any goodies past you! Here are some other food and food related items to be wary of:
+ Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers (choking hazard or may cause intestinal blockage)
+ Meat strings
+ Toothpicks
+ Cookie dough (can expand in stomachs – ouch!)
o The following are symptoms of chocolate poisoning – should your pet be experiencing any of these during Halloween get help quick!
+ Excessive drooling
+ Excessive urination
+ Pupil dilation
+ Rapid heartbeat
+ Vomiting and diarrhea
+ Hyperactivity
+ Muscle tremors and seizures
+ Coma
o Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of Xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur. For more on the threat of xylitol read our sister blog post Xylitol May Kill Your Dog!
o Trick or treating with your dog? While not recommended for most pet owners, some sociable pets make Pawsome partners. If you choose to dress up your pet, make sure it is comfortable and able to breathe well and bark. Ensure that there are no loose pieces that may be ingested by your pet. If you elect to use face masks or costumes that cover your pet's face, make sure they can breathe easily and that the eye holes are large enough to allow for peripheral vision. Pets depend on their peripheral vision. With the activity level make sure they can see everything. After all- spooking the dog might get you, someone else or the pet in trouble
o When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, make sure to keep your pets away from the front door. Pets may be scared or spooked by the noise and strange looks of your guests and may choose to bark aggressively, jump on, bite or bolt out the front door. All that while trying to defend you or simply out of fear. No matter where you keep your pet, make sure you ID your pet before guests and/or trick-or-treaters start showing up. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.
o On the trick-or-treaters are gone, reward your dog with a long walk and a treat. While you are out, keep an eye out for what he or she might pick up and choke on. It’s very likely that neighborhood kids will leave some “trail” as they collect goodies – make sure your pet doesn't eat anything left behind.
Use your good judgment this Halloween. If you feel that any situation may get out of control get your pet out of there! In hectic holidays such as Halloween, it is best to be remain cautious. Unlike many other holidays, Halloween exerts a lot of strange, non-natural/normal behavior, attitude, smells, food and clothing. Because the change is sudden (normal afternoon walk in the park to strange evening occurrences coming to their den) make no assumption that "it will be just fine". You just don't know. There is nothing NATURAL or logical about dressing up funny. Remember that our logic is not common pet sense!
Gypsy and Mayday wish you and yours a happy, safe Halloween!
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