Halloween is a fun time for humans, but it can be a bit overwhelming and scary for our furry friends. Here are some tips from our team at VETERINARYCARE At Belmont ™ in Smyrna, GA on how to keep your pet safe and stress-free this Halloween season.
Halloween Costume Dangers
While dressing up your pet in a costume may be adorable, it’s important to make sure that the costume is safe. Avoid costumes that are constricting or have small, easily accessible parts that your pet could chew off and choke on. Also, make sure the costume is made of breathable fabric so your pet doesn’t overheat. And always supervise your pet while they’re wearing a costume.
If your pet shows uneasiness about wearing a costume, it’s best to avoid it altogether. Instead, opt for a colorful bandana or collar to celebrate the festivities.
Decorations
Autumn-themed and Halloween decor can be dangerous for pets. Candles, Jack-o’-lanterns, and corn stalks are all hazards to our canine and feline companions. Pets are so inquisitive, and items like these can easily be knocked over, start a fire, or be ingested, causing an obstruction. Keep candles and other open flames away from pets and curious noses. Also, be sure to keep cords from electric lights and decorations out of reach. Pets can chew through the cord insulation, causing electrical shock or burns.
Toxic Candy and Foods
Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, so make sure to keep all candy out of reach. Other common Halloween treats like raisins and grapes can also be poisonous to pets, so err on the side of caution and keep them away from all sweets. Be careful of those wrappers, too! After kids have dug through their treat bags, there is often an abundance of candy wrappers left behind. Ingesting foil or cellophane can cause an obstruction in your pet’s digestive system. Dispose of these wrappers properly to avoid any accidents.
Becoming Stressed with the Commotion
Halloween can be a hectic time with lots of people coming to the door. If your pet gets stressed easily, create a quiet space for them to retreat to if they need a break from all the commotion. You might also consider turning off the doorbell chime or playing calming music to help reduce their stress levels. We can also help by providing pheromone diffusers such as Adaptil or Feliway, which help to reduce stress in dogs and cats.
Doorbell ringing can also be upsetting for some pets, so if you know trick-or-treaters are going to be coming by, put your pet in another room where they can’t see or hear the doorbell. Even the most gentle and loving pet can become defensive when they feel scared or threatened, so it’s best to avoid any potential problems by keeping them out of the way.
Always make sure your pet has proper identification (a collar with tags or a microchip) in case they do manage to escape during all the commotion. If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, give us a call! The process is quick and easy, and we’d be happy to help.
Having a fun and safe Halloween is possible with a little extra planning. Use these tips from our animal hospital in Smyrna, GA to keep your furry friend happy and healthy this holiday season! If you have any questions or concerns about your pet, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at VETERINARYCARE At Belmont ™ in Smyrna, GA. We’re always happy to help!
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