Many pets find Halloween to be just as stressful as the Fourth of July, because the doorbell keeps ringing, there are scary lights and noises, and there may be a lot of strangers coming in and out of your home. You can minimize your pet’s stress and reduce their risk of accidental injury or illness by being aware of these Halloween dangers for pets:
Halloween Costumes for Pets
Certain Halloween costumes can not only be uncomfortable to your pet, they can also be dangerous. Masks and hats can become a choking or suffocation hazard if your pet tries to remove them. Other costumes might have parts that can be bitten or chewed off and cause choking or intestinal blockages.
Outdoor Dangers
If you take your pet Trick-or-Treating or to a Halloween party, they may become confused, stressed out, or scared due to all of the noise, lights, and excitement. This puts your pet at greater risk of slipping his leash or bolting. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with ID and is microchipped and try to minimize their time in crowds.
Halloween Treats
There are quite a few holiday treats that are bad for or toxic for pets. Chocolate, sugar, excessive fat, and artificial sweeteners like Xylitol can cause gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death. Don’t leave candy or treats out where your pet can get them. Alcohol is also extremely toxic to pets and can be fatal even in small amounts.
Halloween Decorations
Some Halloween decorations can be dangerous, either when ingested by your pet, or if they think it’s a toy. Rubber decorations that look like toys can be toxic if eaten and can also be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage. Lit candles can be easily knocked over by pets, starting a fire. Some decorations, like strings of lights or cobwebs, can trap or entangle your pets and make them panic, risking injury.
If your pet has consumed any dangerous items or suffered an accident due to the Halloween hazards above, take them to the closest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital right away.
