Avoid any unwanted calls to your vet this Halloween by knowing the dangers that Halloween candy and décor can impose on our furry friends. The most common food-related hazards during ‘Spooky Season’ are chocolate, raisins, candy wrappers, and candy overindulgence.
Chocolate is one of the most toxic candies to pets. The chemicals in chocolate are poisonous to pets and the risk increases as the darkness of chocolate increases. No matter the size of your pet, it is important that chocolate is kept out of reach and in a safe place. If you notice symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, seek medical attention from your vet immediately.
Candy can also appear as a tasty treat for our pets. Ingesting large amounts of sugar and high fats can further lead to pancreatitis. This can be extremely painful and sometimes fatal to animals with symptoms appearing sometimes 2-4 days after ingestion. Note decreased appetite, vomiting, lethargy, sore/hard abdomens, and lethargy. Contact your vet for immediate assistance if these symptoms appear.
Raisins can pose as a healthy option for kids on Halloween. These alternatives are extremely poisonous to dogs! Ingesting a very small amount, for dogs of all sizes can cause kidney failure. If you have raisins in your house – at any time of the year, be sure they are stored in a pet-proof place. Any amount of ingestion should be considered a poisonous amount and your vet should be contacted immediately. If you suspect ingestion, monitor for poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and lethargy, and contact your vet immediately.
Candy Wrappers add to the pre-existing dangers of candy and chocolate to our pets. When snooping around our pets are likely to ingest a piece of candy with the wrapper still on. Wrappers can result in extreme bowel obstructions which if severe, can require surgical removal. Watch for symptoms and contact your vet for medical attention. X-rays are often necessary to confirm this illness.
Glow Sticks make for great chew toys. These can be particularly attractive to cats and can easily be punctured. The contents of these can cause pain and irritation in the mouth, as well as drool and foaming of the mouth.
Costumes can make for adorable pet photos but can cause harm if ingested. Be sure to supervise your pet when in costume and ensure it does not impede their mobility (vision, breathing, etc). If their costume has pieces/accessories ensure that no items are ingested. Always avoid putting any kind of dyes/products on your pet’s skin and fur. Although, safe for humans these products can cause irritation to our pet’s skin.
Candles should be kept out of reach of all sniffing noses and happy tails. Your pet may not realize that something is hot until they make contact with it.
And besides physical obstacles, remember that your pet might not be a fan of a steady stream of Trick-or-Treaters. Consider putting them in a comfortable room, away from the front door and commotion with the radio or television on to minimize stress.
