Even though Halloween can be one of the spookiest nights of the year, it’s not difficult to keep your pets safe and secure.
Some pets enjoy the commotion that comes with Halloween, while others may find it a little stressful. Children and families can have a happy and enjoyable time on Halloween. However, it may be a nightmare for pets.
Read on for our six important safety tips on taking the stress out of your pet and keeping them safe this Halloween!
1. Harmful Trick-or-Treat Pet Candies
For dogs and cats, chocolate in any form—especially baking or dark chocolate—can be harmful or even fatal. Chocolate poisoning can include seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fast breathing, and elevated heart rate. Dogs can be poisoned by Halloween candies that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol. An abrupt drop in blood sugar and an accompanying loss of coordination and seizures can be brought on by even minute doses of xylitol. Xylitol intake can also result in liver failure in dogs, even if they don’t exhibit symptoms of low blood sugar.
2. Avoid Letting Pets in the Yard
On Halloween night, cruel pranksters have been known to taunt, hurt, steal, and even kill pets. Inexcusable? Yes! But it’s still avoidable. Just make sure your pet doesn’t roam around or in the yard on Halloween. Moreover, your pet may find the chaos of loud noises, the doorbell ringing, and strangers wandering around your house in spooky costumes can be disturbing for your pooch.
[Also Read] Cute DIY Halloween Costumes for Dogs
3. Restrict Pets and Keep Them Away From the Door
On Halloween, staying indoors is unquestionably preferable to being outside, but your door will constantly open and close and strangers will be at your house dressed in odd costumes. Naturally, this can be frightening for your furry friends, which may lead to evasion efforts or unanticipated aggressiveness. If you confine them to a safe crate or room far from the front door it will relieve stress and stop your furry pooch from rushing outdoors into the night
4. Keep Pets Away From Glow Sticks
While glow sticks can help keep people safe on Halloween night, if a pet chews one open, they can bring unwelcome drama to the occasion. Fortunately, the liquid within light sticks is non-toxic, so consuming them won’t actually make pets ill, but they taste terrible! The effects of ingesting a glow stick on pets can include drooling, mouth-pawing, agitation, and occasionally even vomiting. However, if your pet chew on a glow stick, offer some fresh water or a small meal to assist remove the stuff from the mouth.
5. Keep Halloween-Themed Plants like Corn & Pumpkins Out Of Reach
While many pets can safely consume tiny amounts of corn and pumpkin, consuming undercooked, perhaps mouldy Halloween pumpkins or corn displays can have serious consequences. Every time a pet consumes something that they shouldn’t lead to digestive discomfort and swallowing big particles of substances that aren’t safe for pets might result in intestinal blockage. Also, some varieties of mould produce mycotoxins that can even cause brain disorders in dogs and cats. Therefore, keep your pets away from the pumpkins and corn stalks.
6. Keep Your Pet Away From All Electric & Battery-Powered Halloween Decorations
Halloween decorations that are powered by electricity or batteries are undoubtedly safer than open candles, but pets can still be harmed by them. Chewing on electrical cords can cause burns or potentially fatal electrical shocks in pets. When chewed open, batteries can result in chemical burns or a gastrointestinal blockage, if swallowed. Glass or plastic fragments have the potential to lacerate any part of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract if eaten.
Word of Advice
Consider microchipping or getting a dog GPS tracker before Halloween or another event that can scare your pet. The little device on your dog’s collar will track their movements in real time so you won’t have to worry about them getting lost and you can relax and enjoy the festivities without interruption.
Conclusion
By following these important Halloween safety tips, you can prepare your pet for a stress-free and secure Halloween and make it as enjoyable as you can for your furry four-legged companions. Even on Halloween, those cute paws and wet noses need our care and attention!
WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FURRY FRIEND A FUN-FILLED, HAPPY, & SAFE HALLOWEEN!
