Halloween Safety

Tips On How To Keep Your Pets Safe During Halloween 

Halloween is fun but can be very dangerous for your pets. For starters, did you know that chocolate and candy is lethal for dogs? Though this is a well known fact, there are more dangers your pets are predisposed to during Halloween than just candy bars. Here are tips on how you can make this day more pleasant for your pets.

Chocolate

As mentioned earlier, chocolate is poisonous to dogs. When you furry friend accidentally ingest chocolate, it can exhibit signs ranging from diarrhea and vomiting to irregular heartbeat. But, is it possible to tell if your dog is in bad condition after just finding out chewed chocolate coverings on your floor? 

Well, chocolate toxicity often depends on your dog’s size as well as the amount of chocolate ingested. Dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate usually contain a high quantity of coco, which makes them highly toxic. On the other hand, candy bars and milk chocolate contain minimal amounts of coco. So, if you suspect that your dog has ingested chocolate, seek treatment from a vet immediately.

Candy

Gum and candy usually contain a toxic substrate known as xylitol. While this substrate doesn’t pose any health risk to humans, it can be lethal for your furry friend. Even when your dog ingest tiny amounts of candy, it can easy cause seizures, low blood sugar, and liver failure that can be fatal. Therefore, when buying candy as you prepare for Halloween, avoid candy products that contain xylitol.

Glow sticks 

Most people often use glow sticks during Halloween to alert their kids on oncoming cars. Some folks eve tie glow stick on their dog’s neck during the festivities. The good thing is that should your dog accidently swallow the glow stick, there’s no need for concern and it will be okay. However, glow sticks emit a bitter liquid known as dibutyl phthalate. This bitter liquid can cause profuse drooling by your furry friend. Give your dog water to drink and remove all the glow stick material from their fur.

Corn

While corn is a tasty treat to most dogs, it doesn’t digest easily in their stomach. Corn often gets stuck on the intestinal walls and acts like sandpaper, scrubbing the sensitive intestinal surface. A vet can recommend surgery to remove all the cob from the intestines.

Conclusion

While Halloween is always filled with treats and festivities, it is important to keep a close eye on your pets. If your pets accidently ingest something toxic like candy or chocolate, visit the vet immediately.

References: Modern dog magazine, Pethub, Aspca