When we are busy dressing up and having fun at Halloween, it is easy to forget about our furry friends. But there are simple things pet owners can do to ensure their dogs have just as good a time as they do on October 31.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Linda Simon and dog behaviourist Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, PhD from pet wellness brand Pooch & Mutt have teamed up to remind people that Halloween can be a particularly dangerous time for our dogs, with many things posing a threat to their health and wellbeing. Not only this, but your pet could even pose a danger to those who find themselves at your door.
They have shared six essential pieces of advice for keeping your dogs and trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween:
Ensure all sweets and chocolates are stored out of reach
Dr Simon says: “Chocolate is poisonous for dogs, as it contains theobromine and caffeine, which are two stimulants that dogs cannot efficiently metabolise, so ingesting even a small amount can make them quite unwell. The wrappers and packaging pose their own risks. Consumption of these can cause serious internal damage, such as blockages and other issues that could lead to your dog requiring surgery.”
Supervise young children when they have access to sweets
Dr Scales-Theobald says,: “As important as supervising your children is, it is also well worth teaching them how to behave around dogs, to keep both them and your pet safe. This would be a great time to teach them of the dangers associated with dogs consuming sweets and chocolate as well as teaching them how to enforce the ‘leave it’ command with your dog.”
Keep lit pumpkins where dogs cannot reach them
Dr Simon says: “It’s a common Halloween tradition to pop a tea light candle inside a carved pumpkin, something you absolutely want to keep away from your dog. Not only is it a burn risk, but ingesting candle wax is likely to upset your dog’s tummy. ”
Keep dogs away from the door
Dr Scales-Theobald says: “With Halloween comes an influx of visitors, most of whom are strangers to both you and your dog. Lots of activity at your door can be quite stressful. I would recommend setting up a room where your dog feels safe with a cosy bed and lots of blankets for them to curl up in. You also want to distract your dog from the sounds of knocking and new voices, so try adding some background noise such as a TV or radio and avert their attention to something that will keep their mind busy, such as a toy or a particular tasty chew.”
Be cautious when it comes to dressing up your dog
Dr Simon says: “Putting your dog in a costume is fun and can make for some seriously cute photos, however, making sure it is safe is exceptionally important. Whatever costume you put your dog in should not limit its ability to move comfortably and freely, breathe or bark. If it limits any of these, then do not force your dog to wear it. Another precaution to take is to thoroughly check the costume over for any pieces that can be chewed off and become choking hazards. It, of course, goes without saying that when your dog is in a costume, you should supervise them at all times to ensure their safety.”
Make sure all decorations are well secured and out of reach.
Dr Simon says: “Dogs are incredibly inquisitive, and they explore new things with their noses and mouths. If you are someone that likes to decorate their home at Halloween, you need to ensure that all decorations are placed out of reach of your dog and are well secured to avoid your dog getting hold of them.
“In the event of your dog chewing and ingesting any of your Halloween decorations, you will need to contact your vet as soon as possible. Ingestion of items of this kind can cause a whole host of issues, such from upset stomachs to intestinal blockages, which can become fatal.”
