Any time pets are forced out of their routine and face an unfamiliar scenario, they can get injured or stressed. Pets would avoid many of the injuries reported to the veterinary clinics on the days following Halloween with a little bit of understanding and information on part of the pet parents.
Reduce The Stress, Avoid The Candy
Simple things make a difference. For example, taking your pet dog out for a walk before the trick-or-treaters start coming in releases some stress and gives them exercise. Be sure that the animal is on a firm leash as they may get startled on seeing people in costumes. At home, keep your dog secluded until the traffic around your place passes. Kids can unknowingly injure an animal in their enthusiasm. Candy and chocolates offered to cats and dogs can actually prove toxic, particularly to the small breeds. Theobromine in chocolates poisons these animals. Symptoms of theobromine poisoning include pupil dilation, hyperactivity, rapid heartbeats, coma, and muscle seizures.
Make A Safe Space
Dogs get excited and sometimes run after trick-or-treaters. They risk accidents and also theft if they step outside the front yard. If your pet is easily excitable or can get jumpy from sudden noises and being exposed to new sights and smells, they may hurt not only themselves, but behave aggressively to others. Confine your animal in a large enough crate if you cannot spare a room. Give your dog their favorite blanket, play soothing music, and supply them with water. In short, make the animal comfortable before the humans start partying. Make sure their ID tag and microchip info are up-to-date to make identification and retrieval easy should they ever run loose.
Dangers And Costumes
It is worth reiterating that chocolates and candies are not for the pets. Keep them away from even the crumbs. Many treats can be potentially lethal to the pets. Decorations and jack-o-lanterns present and fire hazards for frisky, curious, and energetic pets. Wire cords, tin foil, and cellophane present dangers to dogs, too. Don’t force your pet into a costume unless you are very sure of their comfort. It may be an hour or two of fun for us, but the time will pass very slowly for a stressed animal. If you must put your dog in a costume, try it out the costume beforehand to make sure they don’t feel anxious. Your dog should be able to breathe comfortably and vocalize easily. Avoid making them wear masks.
If your pet gets too nervous from sudden sounds, noise, and revelry, then you should check with the vet to see if sedating the animal for the night is a safe option.
How do you keep your dog safe on Halloween? Does your dog show signs of fear around the holiday? Let us know in the comments below!
