28/10/2026
🎃 Happy Halloween from Ragnar and all of us at Springwell Vets 🎃
As trick-or-treat season kicks off, keep Halloween treats away from tricky paws and protect your furry family from holiday hazards!
Here are the top sweet treats to keep out of reach this week:
🚨 The Danger List
• Chocolate: Contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs and cats. Dark and baking chocolate are especially dangerous! Symptoms of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate.
• Xylitol (Birch Sugar): Found in sugar-free candies, gums, and baked goods. Xylitol causes a sudden, severe drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and potential liver failure in dogs.
• Raisins & Grapes: Often handed out in mini boxes as healthier snacks, but they can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs.
• Candy Wrappers & Sticks: Foil, plastic wrappers, and lollipop sticks can cause choking hazards or dangerous intestinal blockages that may require emergency surgery.
💡 Quick Prevention Tips
• 🍬 Keep treats up high: Store all Halloween candy in high cabinets or secure containers.
• 👻 Set ground rules: Remind kids and guests not to share their trick-or-treat loot with pets.
• 🐾 Provide pet-safe treats: Keep your pet’s favorite chew toys or dog-safe treats handy so they don't feel left out of the fun!
🆘 What to do in an emergency?
If you suspect your pet has eaten chocolate or candy, don't wait for symptoms to appear.
📞 Call us immediately on 01442 822151 or contact your nearest emergency vet clinic.
Having the package wrapper ready to tell us the weight, brand, and type of candy helps us act quickly! 🍫
Stay safe and have a happy, paws-itively fun Halloween! 🎃🐶🐱
SafePets VetClinic ChocolateToxicity