Halloween can be scary for our anipals, and that’s not because of ghosts or haunted houses. What we consider treats could be toxic to our canine furiends and what dogs might think is yummy might also be dangerous. The sights and sounds of revelers can spook pets and cause them to panic.
So here are some tips to keep your pooch safe during Halloween and healthy through the rest of the year.
Trick or treating may not be for Fido. Pets may not realize that the zombies, monsters and other freaks are their human friends in disguise. Dogs and cats may attack out of fear or run away, according to spcaLA. Pet parents can be liable for injuries inflicted by their animals.
It’s best to keep pets indoors in a quiet, comfortable area of the home, away from the trick or treaters that may spook them. Make sure pets have current identification tags and are microchipped in case they escape.
Never dress pets in costumes not meant for animals. Our pawls might look cute as a cowboy or ghost, but Fido might not find it amusing. If you insist Fido celebrate Halloween, then get him a costume made for pets. Costumes can feel uncomfortable and constraining to pets. Loose accessories could be hazardous if swallowed, according to Dogtipper. The best costume for your dog would be loose fitting and have few accessories.
Fido or kitty could mistake electric Halloween decorations for treats. Because of that, keep all electrical cords and decorations out of reach, advises Dogtipper. Pets can also get entangled in dangling cords or decorations. For this reason you can encase cords in plastic tubing from the hardware store. Keep lit candles and jack-o’-lanterns out of pets’ reach since they can accidently bump the flammable object.
Halloween pranksters can prey on pets, especially those with black fur, so supervise them on All Hallows Eve, advises spcaLA.
Many human goodies can make pets sick. Chocolate is toxic to dogs. The less sweet and darker the chocolate, the more poisonous it is to canines.
Candy is not good for animals because they may scarf down wrappers, which can cause a bowel obstruction. Ingesting large amounts of high-fat, super-sugary foods can lead to a painful and possibly deadly inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis, according to Pet Docs on Call. Symptoms that usually show two to four days after a large high-fat meal include decreased appetite, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea and other odd behavior.
Pets may mistake glow sticks and jewelry as chew toys but the contents can cause drooling, nausea, pain and irritation to the mouth.
Dogs should never eat raisins or grapes, which can cause kidney failure. Healthy treats include carrots, peas, green beans or apples. Websites devoted to dogs feature recipes of safe snacks for Fido.
If you think your pet has been poisoned, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or visit http://www.aspca.org/apcc.. Also keep the number of an emergency veterinarian on hand.
Category : Blog
