4 minute read
Halloween Can Be Scary for your Pup
By Dr. Ruben Castro
Fall has finally arrived, which means cooler weather is on the way, which will relieve the three-digit heat we’ve been having! Now that we are in October, the temperature and the amount of light we have during the day will slowly change. Of course, Halloween decorations, candies, costumes, parties, and haunted houses will be ubiquitous until the end of the month, and we most definitely will have our dogs involved in anything Halloween-related that we do. With that in mind, here are some Halloween safety tips so that you and your dog can get the most out of the Halloween experience:
Any gathering, especially festive, can cause stress for your dog. If your house normally does not have visitors, and you plan on giving candy to trick-or-treaters, your doorbell will be ringing more than usual. This sudden change can cause much anxiety for your dog. A good idea would be to put your dog in a quiet room where they will be safe from all the Halloween activities. If your dog is hypersensitive to noise, put it in a room far from the main entrance to your home and turn on the television at a low-to-moderate volume level.
Halloween costumes obviously change how people look. But what is not so obvious is that for a dog, masks and costumes change how people look, move, and smell. These things can frighten or stress your dog, even if the dog knows the person. It is a good idea not to bring your dog along when trick-or-treating. The extra people out and about with costumes can cause your dog to become excited or frightened and cause your dog to jump on or bite someone. That will certainly put a damper on your Halloween adventure.
If you are hosting a Halloween party, it is a good idea to put your pet away as there is a good possibility that some food will make its way to the floor, and some foods are toxic for dogs and can make them very sick. Some examples of these foods are chocolate and chocolate-flavored food, raisins, grapes, candy corn or other high-sugar foods, macadamia nuts, popcorn, sugar-free gum, and candy wrappers, which can cause obstructions if ingested. Please watch your kids, as they may make the mistake of offering some candy to your dog. This is the perfect time to educate them on the difference between a treat for humans and your dog.
Ensure your dog has no access to dangerous Halloween decorations. Some dogs may think that your fake spiders are real and need to be killed. Some decorations, such as lit candles (especially if they are scented), fake cobwebs, and strung lights, are hazardous to dogs.
Lastly, take caution with pet Halloween costumes. Keeping your dog’s costume to a minimum is a good idea. This will ensure your dog is comfortable and allows them to move around freely. Also, inspect your dog’s costume to ensure that no objects could come off and choke your dog if ingested.
Enjoy the cooler weather, and may you and your dog have a safe Halloween. Happy Fall, Y’all!
EMERGENCY CARE FOR YOUR PET
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline is available 24/7: (888) 426-4435. There may be a consultation fee. In the RGV, a few veterinarian clinics offer emergency after-hours care, but that involves you calling them and then meeting them at the clinic to treat your pet. This process can take a while, and precious time can be wasted. Instead, if your dog needs emergency care, the best thing to do is take it to Pet Doctor 911 in north McAllen. Their phone number is (956) 683-7387.
