Pet Halloween Safety Tips

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Halloween is a spooky fun time for people, but not all pets think this time of the year is spooktacular. Preparing in advance, creating a secure indoor space, and being mindful of treats and costumes can make this time a treat and not a trick.

Keep Halloween Candy Away from Pets

The biggest Halloween danger for pets is chocolate (Chocolate toxicity), sugar-free candy and raisins. Chocalate is an indulgence for us but for pets the cocoa irritates their nervous system leading to hyperactivity and seizures. The darker the chocolate the more dangerous it is!

• Xylitol — This artificial sweetener, often found in sugar-free candy, gummies, other sweets and chewing gum, causes a spike in insulin and a subsequent drop in blood glucose leaving your pet very weak and can also damage a pet’s liver. Vomiting may start in as little as 30 mintues after ingestion but effects could be delayed up to 12 hours. If your pet has ingested any of these products, please get them to an emergency hospital right away!
• Raisins — These dried versions of grapes contain tartaric acid, a compound that can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Candy wrappers — Foil, plastic, and wax paper can get stuck in a pet’s intestinal tract and cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage requiring emergency surgery.

Pet Poison Helpline is available 24/7: (855) 764-7661

Prevent Pet Escapes

Continuously opening and closing your front door to greet trick-or-treaters gives pets the opportunity to slip outside, become frightened, and get lost or injured. Make sure to keep your pet away from the front door.

If your pet gets upset when strangers approach the house, consider not participating in trick-or-treating and turn off outside lights or post a sign. To participate in the fun without stressing your pet, sit at the end of your driveway with a candy bowl instead of waiting for trick or treaters inside. You can also create a safe, quiet retreat indoors with your pet’s favorite toys, bedding, and treats.

Make sure your pets are microchipped and have current identification tags on their collars.

At The Vet On Main we use HOME AGAIN Microchips – not only do they provide permanent identification but they will also read your pet’s temperature when scanned with the Temp Scan reader https://www.homeagain.com/

Reduce Your Pet’s Stress and Anxiety

Halloween’s unfamiliar sights and noise can overwhelm and frighten your pets. Reactive pets should be in a quiet space insulated from noise. Play calming music or even white noise can help distract your pet from what’s going on outside. https://youtu.be/GnWkv6ZvDFs?si=1brIkXIGyd-1Kz5u

Use calming pheromones such as ADAPTIL to help ease your dog’s stress https://www.adaptil.com/ca_en/Products/ADAPTIL-comforting-messages and FELIWAY for CATS https://us.feliway.com/

CBD can be an excellent supplement to use in these cases. Ask Us about our Pet Releaf Products that are safe and effective for dogs and cats. Remember that THC in human products is TOXIC to pets!

If you anticipate serious distress, ask your veterinarian about prescription anti-anxiety medications that will help your pet relax.

Pet Costumes

While we think our pets look irresistibly adorable in costumes, not all pets enjoy wearing them. Restrictive or uncomfortable costumes especially can cause distress, and some costumes pose chewing or choking hazards. Only pets accustomed to clothing should wear costumes, and they should not restrict their movement, breathing, or vision.

Keep Halloween Decorations Out of Reach

Pets like to investigate anything new things in their environment. Watch what decorations you use and where you put them to ensure a pet-safe Halloween experience. Common decorations and their potential hazards include:

• Jack-o’-lanterns — Pets can knock over pumpkins with lit candles and cause a fire.
• Hanging decorations — Cobwebs with rubber spiders, bats, string lights, and hanging skeletons can pose a risk for your pet getting tangled up, choking, strangulation, or intestinal obstruction hazards if your pet eats them.
• Electronics — Lights and animatronics often require extension cords. Pets who chew on live wires can be burned or shocked and potentially start a fire.
• Glow sticks — Glow sticks aren’t toxic, but can cause mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting if ingested. Also, the plastic pieces from glow sticks can cause intestinal issues.

Let’s Keep it Paw-sitively Fur-tastic this Halloween!

Fireworks Safety for Pets

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The most prevalent hazard of fireworks to pets is the loud noise, which causes fear and anxiety. Your pet may shake, drool, pant or even try to run away. Fourth of July is a time of the year when shelters report 30% more missing pets. Your pet can get lost, injured, or even killed by a car when they are running scared.  Firework can also cause direct injury like burns or cuts if they walk on the debris. Not to mention curious pups may mistake spent fireworks for toys and ingest pieces. Fireworks contain several hazardous chemicals such as potassium nitrate, arsenic, and other heavy metals that can cause severe stomach upset, poisoning, or even death if ingested. Ingestion of any firecracker should be taken seriously and your pet should be seen by an emergency veterinarian. Lastly, smoke and particulate matter from fireworks can worsen respiratory issues, especially in pets with asthma or bronchitis.

Here are some Fireworks safety tips for You

1. Keep Pets Inside

You may think your dog or cat would enjoy a night out with the family to have fun watching some sparkling fireworks but keep in mind that your pet does not understand what you’re celebrating or why. If your pet gets upset by loud noises, like sirens, or gets anxious, then skip the trip and let them stay home, especially if your pet doesn’t like strangers or large crowds. Social anxiety is prevalent in cats and dogs, especially those who were not properly socialized early in life.

Make sure the gates are lateched, doors closed and window screens secured.

2. Create a Cozy Place

Before you head out for the holiday, make sure you have a quiet retreat away from windows for your pet that they can escape to. For cats, consider a cat cave, tent or even a cardboard box covered with a towel sprayed with FELIWAY for them to hide. Some dogs may prefer their crate but make sure to put in one of their favorite toys, a few treats or a peanut-butter stuffed kong and a fuzzy blanket sprayed with ADAPTIL.

3. Calming Supplements and Anxiety Meds

While some pets don’t mind the noise, others need a little help to settle down. At The Vet On Main we offer several supplements that can ease your pet’s anxiety. PET RELEAF Stress Releaf Oil and Treats, Standard Process Calming Comfort Pro Powder and VetriScience Calm and Confident are our Top 3 Picks. Stop By Today! And we know that those may not be enough for some pets and they will need prescription anxiety medication. Please give us a call as we are happy to help your pet.

4. Thundershirts, Earmuffs and Happy Hoodies

 A “ThunderShirt” is a specially designed velcro vest that applies gentle, constant pressure to a pet’s torso, like swaddling a baby that creates a calming effect. These can help reduce anxiety in dogs and cats during stressful situations like thunderstorms, travel, and, yes, fireworks. Canine earmuffs are noise-reducing muffs that fit snugly on your dog’s head to reduce the noise from the fireworks. Or try a Happy Hoodie to cover their ears that helps reduce stress in cats and dogs. These are meant to help reduce stress but some pets may panic with them so make sure they are not agitated.

5. Microchip Your Pet and Make sure tags are up to date

Ensuring pets are microchipped with a permanent ID is the best way to ensure if lost, they get returned to you. Home Again Microchips are The Vet On Main’s preferred manufacturer as the provide the best support and also read your pet’s temperature with a simple scan. Yearly Membership also allows you 24/7 phone access to medical support. Visit https://www.homeagain.com/ for more information.

Also make sure your current cell phone number is on your pet’s tags and update your pet’s profile with your correct address. But remember collars and tags can come off, so chip your pet today!

In addition to taking all of the necessary precautions, be sure to sign up for pet health insurance for peace of mind throughout all future holidays and festivities to come. Trupanion is the only company that actually pays your veterinarian directly and does not limit payouts.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY!