Halloween is definitely one of the most loved holidays of the year. The candy is secondary – It’s all that fun, excitement, and dressing up that gets people hooked.
But imagine if you were a dog or a cat. You have no idea why you can’t recognize anyone, and there is a constant flow of monsters approaching your family’s territory.
Halloween is no fun for pets!
Let’s face it, the holiday isn’t going anywhere, so here are a few tips to make Halloween as easy as possible for your dog or cat.
- Set up camp: If you’ve got a nice, quiet room tucked away in some part of your house, your pets could hang out there for the evening. Set up some food, water, blankets and toys and let them make themselves comfortable there. They may not be completely sheltered from all of the noise and activity, but it is a quieter place where they are not subjected to the constant movement and costumes.
- Safety (and comfort!) First: If you must dress your pet up in a costume, make sure it is comfortable and safe. It should not interfere with the pet’s ability to breathe, hear, or move, and should not present a choking hazard. Also keep an eye out for allergic reactions to materials in the costume. If your pet seems to be experiencing genuine distress over wearing the costume, it may be better to nix it entirely.
- Watch out for hazards: Keep lit pumpkins away from your pets to avoid spreading a fire, and keep electrical wires out of reach. Chewing on electrical wires can cause electrical shock.
- Stay close: There are many risks to your pet during Halloween, and keeping them close is the best way to keep them safe. It is very common on this holiday for pets to get spooked and take off, get lost in the festivities, or even become the victim of a horrible prank.
- Diet: Candy, especially chocolate, is not good for pets. Anything you would eat on Halloween night is most likely unhealthy for your pet and can cause gastrointestinal problems. Chocolate, of course, is very dangerous for pets.
- Stay Current: Keep the information up to date on your pet’s registered microchip or tattoo. Microchips and tattoos are the best option for locating your pet if they go missing. Collar tags are another option although they can get lost quite easily.
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things just don’t go perfectly. Our pets are pretty smart, and may find a way to sneak out or get a piece of candy when we’re not looking.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning can take hours to present.
Keep an eye out for your pet’s behaviour over the entire evening. Watch for:
- Gastrointestinal problems (Diarrhea, Vomiting)
- Dehydration or increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Panting or restlessness
- Any unusual behaviour that your pet would not normally exhibit
In rare occasions, chocolate poisoning can cause seizures and even sudden death in older or health compromised pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something potentially harmful, a trip to your Veterinarian is always the safest choice.
