Halloween Safety For Pets
by Jerry Klein, DVM
October 31, 2020
Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in American culture. It's a great time for children and adults, but it can be dangerous for pets. Cats and dogs can get into all kinds of trouble at Halloween. It is one of the busiest times of the year at veterinary clinics and veterinary emergency hospitals. With all the new cats and dogs in homes this year, it's especially important to be aware of the dangers.
In my experience heading up a busy veterinary emergency clinic for more than 35 years, the time around Halloween was always one of the busiest. Pet owners should be aware of some of the more common dangers for pets.
Chocolate
Chocolate is the most common danger pets encounter on Halloween. Chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs, but cats will generally avoid chocolate. Dogs, on the other hand, seem to love it. The darker the chocolate, the greater its toxicity to pets. Baking chocolate, bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate is more toxic to pets than is milk chocolate. Smaller amounts of it can cause greater problems. In addition to chocolate candy, chocolate cakes, cookies and cupcakes are toxic to pets.
If your cat or dog ingests any chocolate, contact your veterinarian, a veterinary emergency center, or a pet poison hotline immediately. Be prepared to tell them:
- How much your pet weighs.
- What kind of chocolate your pet ingested.
- How much chocolate was ingested.
Most veterinary hospitals can provide guidance as to whether or not your pet needs immediate veterinary care. The sooner the problem is addressed, generally the better the outcomes and the less costly the treatment is likely to be.
Candy, Wrappers & Sugar-Free Products
Too often, pets get into candy, or even the candy wrappers. Dogs have been known to eat entire bags of candy - wrappers and all. Even non-chocolate candy can cause a variety of health problems for pets from upset stomach to pancreatitis - a serious illness. The wrappers are also a danger. They can become lodged in the pet's intestine and require surgery to remove.
Sugar-free candy, gum and baked goods can also be dangerous to dogs if they contain the sugar substitute, Xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs and requires immediate veterinary care.
Decorations
Many Halloween decorations can be problematic for curious cats and dogs. Pets love to chew and swallow things such as corn cobs, pumpkins and gourds which can fragment and get stuck in the pet's airways or digestive tract. The same is true for anything with dangling parts or strings such as wigs, costume parts and mask strings.
Pet Costumes
We all love seeing pets in Halloween costumes. Costumes can be very cute on pets willing to wear them, but you should never force a costume on an unwilling pet. If you want to try to dress your pet up in a costume for Halloween, a few tips to keep in mind:
- Try costumes on for brief periods over several days prior to when you want your pet to wear it, allowing your pet to slowly get accustomed to it.
- Only use costumes that fasten with Velcro or similar fastenings. Avoid costumes with drawstrings or elastic parts.
- Costumes should not have dangling parts that are easily chewed by the pet.
- Make certain your pet can breathe easily and move freely when in its costume.
- NEVER leave your pet unattended in a costume.
Crowds and Trick-or-Treaters
Even the calmest cats and dogs can be frightened by scary costumes and masks. It's best to keep pets inside during trick-or-treating - especially cats. Keep dogs on a leash under the control of a responsible adult. Be sure to keep pets away from open doors to avoid having them run out the door as you greet trick-or-treaters.
Other Dangers
Halloween has also become a time for adults to enjoy. Alcohol and marijuana are toxic to pets, so be sure to keep these adult items, including those in edible forms, out of the reach of pets.
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