Halloween and Pet Safety

First of all, a very Happy Halloween to each and every one of you and your beloved pets.

Our whole team truly enjoys Halloween as it portends the coming of fall and the larger festive season ahead. Of course, this magical time of year is most celebrated by children who are encouraged to don costumes of their favorite superheroes and collect tons of candy. Awesome!

While young kids are encouraged to partake in all the festivities and have a wonderful time with their imagination, it’s important to also remember the needs of our pets. That said, I felt this was a good time to once again share some tips on how to keep your pets safe this Halloween:

1. Candy, candy and more candy! – Pets tend to like these yummy treats just as much as you and your little ones. Please remember to be mindful where the candy is placed before, during and after this holiday season. Our pets can ingest dangerous parts like chocolate, wrappers, and large amounts of sugar or sugar free candy. These can lead to gastroenteritis, pancreatitis and sometimes death.
2. Sugar free, why so dangerous? – We cannot reiterate enough the dangers of sugar-free candy. A majority of sugar-free candies contain an ingredient known as Xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs. Call your veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible if you feel your pet may have ingested a sugar-free treat.
3. My pet ate some candy! What next? –  Some signs to be on the lookout for if your pet has gotten into candy are vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting, tachycardia and lethargy. If you feel your pet may have gotten into candy, we highly encourage you to call your family veterinarian for guidance and next steps.
4. Ghosts and goblins, oh, my! – There are many dogs that do not enjoy all the Halloween festivities. Kids in costume, loud noises, spooky decorations, etc. may cause extreme anxiety. For these pups, we highly encourage putting them in a safe, secluded and quiet area of the house. Perhaps even turn on some soothing music. This will not only help keep your anxiety-prone pet comfortable, but will keep them from potentially escaping from your home if frightened. As for the kitties, please do what you can to bring them inside. So many dangers await.
5. Speaking of frights – Is your pet’s microchip up-to-date? Your pet may be comfortable with all the spooky shenanigans, but you never know when a sudden fright might separate you from your pet. Let’s make sure if your pet is lost that they can be easily reunited with you and your family. Microchips save lives!
6. What, I can’t eat the hot dog costume I am wearing? – We all know that pets get into the darndest things. This holiday provides even more chances for our pets to ingest things they shouldn’t; especially those costumes! Make sure your pet is wearing something they cannot easily ingest (or just be aware) and it is safe from other hazards such as tripping and snagging on fences.

At Rainier Veterinary Hospital, we hope you all have a wonderful Halloween night and that you and your pet get to celebrate together. If you need us, we will just be a phone call away at 206.324.4144.