Halloween Hazards for Pets

Halloween is coming up quick! This is a gorgeous time of year here in the north. Pumpkin spice everything, foliage, crisp breezes, and seasonal decorations are all on the agenda for the next few weeks. The autumn holiday does bring some seasonal dangers for pets, however. Here, a local Burlington, ON vet lists some concerns for pet parents to be aware of.

Pets are very playful and curious, which are two reasons they are so cute and fun. However, that playful streak can get your furry pal into trouble! Anything small or sharp is a potential hazard. You’ll also want to be careful with anything that has dangling ropes or threads.

Keep that candy bowl out of paws’ reach! Many of those sweet treats are toxic to pets. Never give your animal companion anything that contains nuts, chocolate, caffeine, sugar, or xylitol. Grapes, currants, and raisins are also unsafe, as are hard candies and candy wrappers.

It can get cold quickly at this time of year. If you have a dog, Fido will need a jacket when it gets chilly, unless he has a double coat. As for Fluffy, she’s better off staying inside.

Halloween often brings extra traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular. We recommend keeping cats indoors. As for Fido, keep a tight hold of his leash during walks, in case your neighbor’s moving Frankenstein decoration scares him. If your canine buddy has a yard to play in, limit his outdoor time until after the holiday.

Many pets can get quite worked up if the doorbell won’t stop ringing. Your furry friend may also be frightened of or confused by people’s costumes. If your dog or cat gets nervous or excited when visitors come over, put them in a quiet back room with comfy bedding and some toys during the candy rush.

Fireplaces, heaters, candles, and potpourri burners all make your home feel cozy and inviting. Just make sure your four-legged pal can’t access these things. That would be a dangerous combination!

Halloween is particularly dangerous for kitties. Black cats are particularly at risk, due to old superstitions. In fact, many shelters refuse to adopt them out around this time of year. As mentioned above, keep cats—especially black ones—indoors.

Happy Halloween! Please feel free to contact us, your Burlington, ON vet clinic, anytime.