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By Nancy Kay, DVM
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Melissa Ross / Stocksy
Halloween can be incredibly enjoyable — for us humans, that is. Think about it from the perspective of your pets: The ridiculous costumes they are forced to wear and scary sights and sounds, such as the horror show of constant doorbell rings over and over again. For our dogs and cats, Halloween can be downright ghoulish and, in some cases, even pose a threat to their safety.
But, if you absolutely must indulge in this spooky celebration, here are six safety tips to ensure your pets don’t become unwilling participants in a haunted house of horrors. Because let’s face it, the only thing our pets want this Halloween is a quiet night and a comfy spot on the couch — and maybe a few treats. (If you’re considering adopting a pet, October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, the perfect time to adopt one of the many pets who are still searching for their forever homes. See all the available adoptable pets in your area.)
Halloween safety for your pet
1. Guard the candy bowl
Given the opportunity, most dogs will gladly gorge on chocolate, wrappers and all. Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance chemically related to caffeine and toxic to dogs. The richer (darker) the chocolate, the more toxic it will be for your pup. And while cats are less likely to eat chocolate, it’s still toxic for them.
Symptoms of chocolate toxicity include restlessness, irritability, increased urination, muscle tremors, and sometimes even seizures. Vomiting and diarrhea are also commonplace following chocolate ingestion.
If you suspect your dog(s) has raided the candy bowl, call your family veterinarian or local emergency clinic immediately. The sooner treatment is initiated, the better the chance for a good outcome. Based on the approximate weight of your candy thief and the type and amount of chocolate ingested, you will be advised whether or not your dog needs medical attention. Downing a couple of milk chocolate kisses is likely no big deal for a Great Dane, but for a four-pound Chihuahua, however, a few ounces of bittersweet chocolate could be a lethal dose.
2. Don’t forget the wrappers
Although a discarded candy bar wrapper may not contain enough chocolate to be dangerous, it may have enough to be tasty. If ingested, candy wrappers can create a blockage in the esophagus or digestive system, so throw all candy wrappers away in a secure trash can with a lid.
3. Watch the front door
If you welcome trick-or-treaters to your home, your front door will open and close repeatedly, providing many opportunities for your dog or cat to escape into the dark of night when their familiar territory has become particularly spooky. Getting lost or running out in front of a moving vehicle are potentially disastrous holiday outcomes, so don’t include your pets as part of your Halloween welcoming committee. It’s far safer to confine them behind closed doors.
Keep pets indoors on the days leading up to Halloween. Animal abduction and torture might sound like a cheesy horror movie, but it does happen, so better safe than sorry.
4. Switch up your nightly routine
Also, while there is likely nothing your dog enjoys more than accompanying you for a walk around your neighborhood, doing so on Halloween night may be a downright spooky experience for your best buddy. It’s better to give them some long walks earlier in the day and keep them inside at night.
5. Give them a calming space
Does your cat hide under your bed every time someone new comes to your home? Does your dog’s job description include barking and protecting whenever a stranger (trick-or-treaters included) arrives at your front door? Think about how these poor animals must feel on Halloween night when that doorbell rings dozens of times within just a few hours. Talk about emotional exhaustion. Confine your pets behind closed doors, ideally in a sound-proof part of your home, and consider the following options to preserve their sanity:
- Provide trick-or-treaters with a “help yourself” candy bowl on your front walkway, or sit outside with the bowl to avoid the doorbell ringing.
- Board your pets elsewhere on Halloween night.
- Turn off your house lights and skip the holiday altogether (although, there are no guarantees your house won’t be egged the following day).
6. Limit Halloween costumes for pets
Halloween costumes for pets certainly make for some giggles and terrific photo opportunities. But how do our pets really feel about wearing those silly outfits? They aren’t huge fans. If you do decide to dress your pet up, make sure there are no small parts your pet can choke on, and never put anything around your pet’s neck other than their collar.
The bottom line? Halloween is a holiday for humans. Let’s leave our pets out of it.
Nancy Kay, DVM, Dipl., American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, is a 2009 recipient of AAHA’s Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award and author of Speaking for Spot.