Keeping Your Pet Safe During Halloween
This is a re-post from last year. Although this was only a year ago, I like to re-post incase you may have missed a blog or two or need a refresh. With Halloween not too far away, I thought this would be fun to put out again.
Happy Friday everyone!!! Halloween is this weekend and we love celebrating with Jake and Maggie. I just received the cutest dog bows in the mail from a small business I support out of Arizona The Pampered Pooches for Halloween and Thanksgiving and am so excited for the dogs to wear them. I have to admit that around the holidays I get nervous for all the animals both indoors and outside. Why? Because of the loud noises, blinking lights, trick or treaters, that they are not used to. Animals can get spooked so easily if we are not careful about protecting them from the dangers.
When I first started blogging, I did a post on how to keep your pet safe during Halloween but when my website was converted over to a new platform that post was lost. I wanted to create a new dog treat recipe for today but decided I would research and put a new post together on pet safety during Halloween and attach older recipes to my email newsletter. (So Instead of one blog post, you have the option of reading three different posts).
My previous post included the dangers of your pet eating chocolate, escaping their yard, and the dangers of pet costumes. In this post, I will give you recourses and ways you can have a safe holiday without a trip to the vet.
Two Spoiled Dogs And One Spoiled Cat
Jake and Maggie resting in the leaves after their long walk. My sister’s cat, Piggy, loving his new fall blanket from Home Goods.
How To Keep Halloween Fun For Your Pet And Not Make A Horror Movie Out Of It:
I found some of this information on www.moderndogmagazine.com written by Dr. Liz Bales, who will be collaborating with Modern Dog for all things dog health-related
Chocolate – Most people have heard that chocolate is toxic to dogs. It can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to deadly heart arrythmias. The toxins in chocolate come from the coco itself and the amount that is dangerous to your dog will depend on the size of your dog and the quantity of coco that your dog consumed. Baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate have lots of coco while milk chocolate and candy bars do not have that much actual coco. If you find that your dog has gotten into the chocolate, immediately call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680.
Sugar free candy – Xylitol is a common substitute for sugar in sugar free candy and gum. While xylitol is safe for humans, it is extremely dangerous for dogs. Even tiny amounts can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure and can kill your dog. If you find that your dog has consumed xylitol, call your veterinarian and seek emergency care immediately.
Glow sticks – We use glow sticks to keep our kids safe from cars on Halloween. Some people even put them around their dog’s neck to add to the festivities. Here’s the good news, if your dog chews up the glow stick they are most likely going to be ok. Glow sticks contain a bitter tasting liquid called dibutyl phthalate. This bad tasting goop can cause your dog to drool profusely. Offer your dog plenty of clean water and wash them off to make sure there is no more glow stick liquid in their fur that will be licked off later.
Corn on the Cob Decorations – Somehow, corn cob is an irresistible treat to many dogs. Unfortunately, the cob does not digest in the stomach and tends to try to pass through in the whole chunk that your dog bit off. These cob chunks are often just the right size to get stuck in the way through and the course surface of the cob acts like sandpaper on the sensitive surface of the intestines. Surgery may be required to remove the offending cob.
Lost Dogs – Halloween is a night of opening doors and gates. In a quick second, your dog can get out and become lost.
*Before the big night, update the identifying info for your dog – like collar tags and microchip info.
*Consider making a dog safe room where your dog can spend the evening safe and sound.
*Pick a room far away from the ringing doorbell and add a radio or tv with your dog’s favorite programming to drown out the night’s noise and a cozy bed to snuggle in – and remove the possibility of your dog sneaking out.
These 6 Halloween Pet Safety Tips Are Fright Night Necessities
1. Watch Out For Candy Capers
Chocolate
Raisins and chocolate-covered raisins
Sugar-free candy
Caramel apples
Candy corn
Macadamia nuts
2. Choose a comfy costume
Follow these tips when dressing up your pet:
Choose a comfortable costume that fits properly, doesn’t restrict movement and doesn’t hinder your pet’s ability to breathe. (Pay special attention to those Chewy size guides!)
If your pet displays any signs of stress or discomfort which, according to Dr. Howe, can include pacing, hiding or refusing to move, take it off. (No cute photo op is worth your pet’s discomfort.)
Check the costume before the big night to make sure there are no loose buttons or embellishments that your pet could tear off and swallow.
Ensure their Halloween fashion show is brief. Your pet might be game for a quick Instagram photo session in their costume, but they may become uncomfortable if left in their outfit for a longer period of time.
Never leave your pet alone when they’re dressed in their costume. You need to keep an eye on them in case of a costume malfunction, like if their costume gets caught on something.
3. Beware Of Decoration Dangers
Some Halloween decorations can also pose a Halloween pet safety risk, such as:
Electrical cords: Pets can easily chew on them and get an electric shock or get tangled up. Opt for decorations that run on batteries, rather than electrical cords.
Fog machines: You don’t want them to consume the possibly toxic solution. Keep these away from pets or pass on them period.
Glow sticks: Some pets may mistake these for chew toys and as stated earlier, some people use these around their dogs neck but we want to be safe and take all necessary precautions.
Candles: Candles on their own or in jack-o-lanterns are seasonal favorites, but dogs and cats can easily knock them over or burn themselves. Opt for faux candles or keep them in an area your pet can’t reach them.
Small decorations or decorations with small baubles: These can be a choking hazard. Either skip these types of decorations.
4. Keep Them Safe From All The Hocus Pocus
*Keep your pet crated during the festivities.
*If you have a fenced yard, make sure any bad fencing and gates are fixed properly.
*Make sure all gates are locked.
*If you pet is outside such as a horse, pig, goat, etc. make sure your barns are secure, fencing is fixed, and gates and doors are locked. You don’t want a trick-or-treater getting in and your pet getting out.
*Play music in the barns and stables to mute out the festivities so that your pet does not get scared.
5. Tag Your Tiny Trick-Or-Treater
Should your pet slip out of the house, proper identification can help get them home safe and sound—and quickly, too. Double check that their collar and ID tag are all secure and up to date. See my post here on my collaboration with SiliDog Pet Tags and another post SiliDog Pet Tags
If your pet is microchipped, ensure that your contact information is correct in the microchip company’s database. If your pet isn’t already microchipped, talk to your vet about the simple procedure to provide future peace of mind. See my post here on To Microchip Or To Not Microchip?
If your pet is microchipped, ensure that your contact information is correct in the microchip company’s database. If your pet isn’t already microchipped, talk to your vet about the simple procedure to provide future peace of mind. See my post here on To Microchip Or To Not Microchip?
6. Calm Skittish Spirits
Watch for signs of stress and anxiety, including:
Panting
Hiding
Excessive barking
Pacing are all signs of anxiety
Going to the bathroom in the house (or, for cats, outside of the litter box)
It might be helpful to contact your vet prior to Halloween to ask if there is anything you can give your pet or products you can buy such as the following:
Dr. Lyon’s Calming Aid Soft Chews, for example, are formulated with melatonin and designed to help relax pups naturally without sedating them. (Just be sure to talk to your vet before beginning any new supplements.) Calming diffusers, such as the Adaptil Dog Diffuser and Feliway 30 Day Starter Kit, are another option to consider. These are made to release special dog- and cat-appeasing pheromones to help pets feel safe and secure.
Meanwhile, Thundershirts are designed to hug your pet with gentle, constant pressure to potentially calm fear and anxiety. There are versions for both dogs and cats, so all of your furry family members can reap the benefits.
Meanwhile, Thundershirts are designed to hug your pet with gentle, constant pressure to potentially calm fear and anxiety. There are versions for both dogs and cats, so all of your furry family members can reap the benefits.
I hope this post was helpful to you and your pet. Have a safe and happy Halloween. Love, Jake and Maggie!
If you have any Halloween stories about you and your pet, I would love to hear them. Comment below and let me know. Do you make them treats? Do you have a party? Any suggestions on how to celebrate Halloween with your pet? Any suggestions on pet safe treats, meds, vet suggestions.
Also, as an Amazon Affiliate, Two Adorable Labs earns a small commission on products purchased from this blog post at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your business and as always appreciate your time and attention to reading our posts. We appreciate you.
I love hearing from all of you and do my best to respond to each and every one of you. I always enjoy your comments, feedback, and suggestions so keep them coming! If I’ve posted a recipe (for our human and our furry friends) and you try it, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @twoadorablelabs and use #twoadorablelabs.
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Happy Halloween!! ???? ???? Thank you for the great info on keeping your pets safe during Halloween!
You are so welcome! I hope it helps everyone!