October is here, and with it
comes spooky season and all the festivities we’d love our puppies to be a part
of! While there is no harm in some fun for all of our family
members (furry ones included), there are a few Halloween dog safety tips we
hope you implement this holiday.
Careful with the
Costumes
Let’s face it-- the thought
of a furry friend in the cutest little outfit is enough to make any dog owner
melt. It is, however, super important if you’re trick or treating with dogs
that you make sure they will love their costume as much as you do. Sometimes,
costumes can cause pets much anxiety and distress, and tighter outfits can also
limit movement and breathing. So remember to keep it loose-fitting and
breathable for your pet. Also, be sure to watch out for any small or hanging
pieces to avoid choking or injury.
Save the candy for the
humans.
Just about everyone knows
that chocolate isn’t ideal for pets (this is true, so PLEASE do not give your
pets chocolate!). But did you know that xylitol, an artificial sweetener in
many sugar-free candies, is extremely dangerous for pets? Even small amounts of
xylitol can cause seizures, liver failure, or even death in dogs.
If you find yourself in an
alarming situation this holiday, please don’t hesitate to call poison control
and get help for your pets immediately. We recommend APCC’s poison control
hotline at 1-888-426-4435.
Pumpkins- just don’t do
it.
A jack-o-lantern can be tons
of fun, but when maintaining the best trick or treating safety with dogs, it's
best to keep them high and out of reach. Overeating pumpkin-- or even corn—can
be highly hazardous to pets. A specific mold is sometimes produced on these
crops that can even cause neurological problems for dogs and cats. The candles
in pumpkins can also present obvious danger if they are played with or knocked
over by curious pets. So, take it from us: it’s best not to leave pumpkins out
with any animals around.
We hope we offered some
serious and insightful Halloween tips for dog owners (and hopefully didn’t
spook you too much). There’s plenty of room for good fun, just as long as you
take a few simple precautions. Update your Woof Gang staff on all the ways you
and your pup are choosing to eat, drink and be scary this year!