Did you know?
Did you know dogs can be at risk during Halloween?
Halloween can pose several risks to your dog, so it’s important to keep an eye on them during this festive season.
Here are some potential dangers to be aware of:
- Choking hazards: Dogs can choke on Halloween decorations like corncobs, pumpkins, and small parts of costumes. They can also choke on sweet wrappers, lollipop sticks, and food containers. Signs of a blockage include difficulty eating, sickness, tiredness, or having trouble pooping.
- Toxic substances: Candy can contain substances that are toxic to dogs such as chocolate and xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that's often found in sugar-free candies, gum, baked goods, toothpaste, and peanut butter. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs.
- Burns: Candles can burn dogs if they get too close.
- Stress: The sounds of strangers in costumes and the doorbell can be stressful for some dogs.
- Escape: Dogs can escape if you're distracted by trick-or-treaters. Make sure your dog has a collar, tags, and microchip with your current contact information.
- Costume: If you put a costume on your dog, make sure they're comfortable with it and never leave them unsupervised.
Here are some tips to keep your dog safe on Halloween:
- Keep your dog away from the front door during trick-or-treating hours
- Store candy in a high cabinet with a lock or child-safety latch
- Avoid dangerous decorations, rubber eyeballs, glow sticks, and fake blood
- Practice "leave it" and "stay" with your dog
- Teach your dog to do something else when the doorbell rings
If you suspect your pet has eaten anything toxic, call your vet right away or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
