Help Your Pet Have a Happier Halloween
Holidays are meant to be happy but oftentimes the holidays can carry stress, chaos, and confusion. Your four-legged buddy does not always know what’s happening when random guest start arriving, new smells enter the air, and scary faces show up to your doorstep. It’s important to ease their minds and keep them safe during high-stress and anxiety-inducing activities. Below is a list of ways to keep your pet secure and healthy during the spooky season.
Candy Consumption Protocol
Save the candy for the trick or treaters and keep it away from four-legged friends. The most popular Halloween candies tend to be poisonous for your pets. That list includes all chocolates and candies containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol. Even a small amount of Xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures, according to the ASPCA. You will also want to watch out for candy wrappers, they can be choking hazards.
Carving pumpkins is another classic Halloween tradition but you need to be careful with pumpkin parts laying around. Pumpkin in moderation can be good for pets but do not allow your pet to overindulge in the gourd. Pumpkin can cause digestive issues and rotting pumpkin may harbor bad bacteria. Instead, have a stockpile of tasty treats for your dog and for any other four legged friend that rings your doorbell on Halloween.
Stressful Halloween Hype
Spooky season brings parties and parties bring people together who can be a little loud. Not every pet is comfortable with loud noises and when masks are added to the mix, it can be very anxiety inducing. If loud noises and masked humans bother your dog, it is best to put them in their own space for the evening or leave them at home while you hit the town.
Another frequent Halloween stressor can be repeated doorbell rings. Whether they are protecting their home or getting excited about visitors, the constant excitement can take its toll. On Halloween night when the witches, ghosts and ghouls come to collect their candy, the doorbell never stops ringing. Help your pet find their calm through the constant interruptions.
Have a conversation with your vet to find what is the best route for your dog. There are many options for anxiety prone dogs that can make the spooky season a little bit easier. A Thundershirt could also be a good option for your pet. The pressure and closeness of the shirt helps to calm their breathing and reduce anxiety.
Dangerous Decorations
Fake blood, glow sticks and candles, oh my! During the decorating process, think of your pet and what items could be dangerous hazards around the house. Glow sticks are filled with a liquid that, if punctured, will leak liquid contents that can cause mouth pain, irritation, and excessive salivation if ingested. Your vampire look would be pointless without the fake blood but be wary, it can be toxic for pets.
Other potential hazards can be: fake eyeballs and cobwebs or fake weapons. To avoid the risk of flames, use battery powered candles for window décor and Jack-o-lanterns. This Halloween, keep your pup’s toys in reach rather these tempting decorations.
Leave Pets Home
Once the street lamps light up on Halloween, the outdoors can be a dangerous and creepy world, especially for confused canines and cats. It’s best to keep pets indoors when trick-or-treating. The risk of your pet being spooked by something is higher and could lead to your pet running off. If you plan on going to a party or festival with friends, leave the four-legged ones at home with treats and toys of their own. These settings can frighten pets and it’s always best to keep them comfortable.
Pet Costume Safety
Pets can be very particular when it comes to clothing and costumes. Many pets enjoy the dress-to- impress lifestyle, while others are content baring it all. If your pet is not a clothing fan, simply don’t dress them up. If you want to add some holiday flare without the entire outfit, find a festive bandana. An uncomfortable pet is not a happy pet.
If your pet likes to play dress up, purchase a costume or make one yourself. When you are browsing for outfits, make sure the costume is free of choking hazards and easy for your pet to move around in for the occasion. If your pet doesn’t look comfortable, remove the costume. Lastly, never leave a costumed pet unattended.
Have a happy Halloween and don’t forget to tag @VeterinarySelect in all your haunted fun.
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