As Halloween approaches and the festive season kicks off, we all look forward to the fun and festivities. But it’s also essential to remember that this spooky time can be a bit tricky for our furry friends. Amidst the excitement and celebrations, hidden dangers may lurk for our four-legged friends. In this blog, we’ll delve into some top tips to ensure that your pets can enjoy a safe and stress-free Halloween.
While lots of us will enjoy Halloween, it can be a stressful time for pets. With more knocks on the door, people dressed up, and an increasing abundance of items that can be highly toxic, pets could be left feeling unsettled.
Keep tasty treats away from curious noses
Halloween brings lots of delicious sweets and treats, however, these can be life-threatening for our pets. It may be no surprise that chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but it is also dangerous for other pets such as cats. Chocolate contains a toxic chemical called theobromine. Small amounts of chocolate are unlikely to be life-threatening but may result in your pet vomiting and having diarrhoea. However, if large enough amounts are eaten, pets can present with seizures, muscle tremors, irregular heartbeats, and even heart attacks. Sweets can also be dangerous for pets if they have the sweetener xylitol (birch sugar).
Pumpkin precautions
Carving a pumpkin is a tradition we all love, but be careful to ensure carving tools and lit candles are well away from nosy noses. Candles may look great and set the spooky mood, but they pose a fire risk and can result in your pet being burnt. Remember to keep candles out of reach and never leave your pet unoccupied in a room with a candle alight. Pumpkins are non-toxic to pets, but don’t forget to dispose of them safely as spoiled pumpkins can lead to digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
Trick or treaters
Frequent calls at the door may make your dog anxious or stressed, then add in some spooky and masked visitors… it isn’t an enjoyable experience. Getting your pets home and comfortable before trick-or-treaters arrive is essential for their safety and well-being. Provide a safe and quiet place for them to avoid excess noise, and unwanted attention and minimise the stress of ringing doorbells and visitors. You may even consider leaving treats for trick-or-treaters outside. Now is a great to to make sure your pet is microchipped and all information is up to date, also ensure they are wearing a collar with ID tags, this way if for any reason they do escape it’ll be much easier to find them.
Perils of pet costumes
You might love dressing up at Halloween, but for some pets, this can cause unnecessary stress. Often costumes can limit movement, breathing, hearing, or the ability to eat and drink. Discomfort might look like a tucked tail. Folded down ears, whining or licking lips. Our advice would be to keep fancy dress for humans only and steer clear of costumes for pets.
Bring pets inside before dark
There are a few things you can do before Halloween activities start. To ensure the safety and comfort of your pets on Halloween, it’s crucial to have your cats safely indoors before it gets dark. Additionally, it’s a good practice to take your dogs for a walk before the trick-or-treaters start arriving. This not only helps them expend their energy but also reduces the chances of them becoming anxious or overly excited when the doorbell rings.
Keep decorations out of pets’ reach
Who doesn’t love some fancy decorations, but it is essential to keep decorations out of their reach. Many Halloween decorations, such as string lights, fake cobwebs, and small ornaments, can pose choking hazards or be harmful if ingested by curious pets. Ensure that decorations are securely fastened or placed high enough that your pets cannot access them.
Despite your best efforts, some pets may still become anxious or scared during Halloween. Familiarise yourself with the signs of stress in pets and consult with your vet if you have any concerns.
Read our blog for more information on autumn hazards and how to avoid them (hyperlink: https://www.aldgatevet.co.uk/latest-news/autumn-hazards-and-how-to-avoid-them/)
If you are worried, the best thing to do is seek vet advice, which you can access 24/7 through our out-of-hours service which runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
