Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year!
1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is
for trick-or-treaters, not for your pets!
Chocolate in all
forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and
cats.
Candies containing the
artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems.
If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call our clinic or Poison Control: 604-682-2344 ext.2126 right away!
2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and
decorative corn are considered to be relatively non-toxic,
but they can produce
stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.
3. Wires and cords from electric
lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets.
If chewed, your pet
might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical
shock.
4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do
exercise caution if you choose to add a candle.
Pets can easily knock a
lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of
getting burned or singed by candle flames.
5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets.
Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves
it.
For pets who prefer
their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.
6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe.
It should not constrict the animal's movement or
hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow.
7. Take a closer look at
your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily
chewed-off pieces that he could choke on.
Also, ill-fitting
outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.
8. All but the most social dogs and cats should
be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak
trick-or-treating hours.
Too many strangers can
be scary and stressful for pets.
9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.
10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification.
If for any reason your
pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be
a lifesaver,
increasing
the chances that he or she will be returned to you!
