10/31/2022
Halloween can be fun for the entire family, but it poses hazards for our favorite four-legged friends. Here are some tips to keep your dog safe during Halloween.
1.) Keep your dog away from candy and chocolates. Chocolate contains Theobromine, which can be harmful and sometimes fatal to your dog. The biggest concern with candy is the risk of the ingredient Xylitol, a sugar alcohol commonly used as an artificial sweetener. Xylitol is toxic to pets. Avoid placing candy bowls on the ground, and keep trick-or-treat bags in a safe place.
2.) Costumes are optional! It is easy to find costumes created specifically for pets. However, that does not necessarily ensure their safety. Beads, snaps, buttons, ribbons, elastic and fabric can all be intestinal hazards. If your dog protests the costume, leave it behind. Many dogs prefer to stay in their birthday suits.
3.) Use Pet I.D. tags. Halloween is the second most common holiday for dogs to get lost. Keep them clear from doors when greeting trick-or-treaters.
4.) Glow sticks are a fun Halloween trend and can help keep humans a little safer in the nighttime, but for dogs, these items look like toys. Glow-in-the-dark items are filled with a liquid that, if punctured, will leak the glowing content, creating health concerns.
5.) Lastly, identify a safe space for your dog free from hazards and stressors should they need a place to reset during the festivities.
Learn more at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/vets-corner/halloween-safety-tips-for-dog-owners/
