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Five tips to keep your dog safe on Halloween
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Halloween, while fun for humans, can be an unhappy holiday for dogs. View this spooky event from a dog’s perspective; people behave strangely on the last day of October! Costumed figures, moving or moaning lawn decorations and the constant ringing of the doorbell can turn the calmest pup into a scared (or scary) animal.
But a little advance preparation can make the difference in your dog’s Halloween experience. Implement the following tips from our friends at Fetch! Pet Care to pave the way for a safe All Hallows Eve for your furry friend.
- Tricks are for kids. While ghouls and goblins provide entertainment for people, dogs don’t understand that the person behind that mask is their friend. Dogs can easily become frightened, agitated or even aggressive in response to the unaccustomed sights and sounds of costumed visitors. So when the trick or treaters arrive, it’s best to keep furry family members contained indoors in a quiet, comfortable area of your home. Also, make sure all pets are wearing collars and ID tags in case they get spooked and escape your home or yard.
- Candy is no treat for dogs. Sweets may look appealing to pets, but candy – especially chocolate – can be downright deadly for animals. Keep your candy bowl out of the reach of pets and make sure your children sift through their bags at a table where Fido can’t sneak a piece. Candy wrappers (especially foil) can be harmful, too. Instead, provide your pup with his own special treats to munch on. If you believe your dog has ingested a harmful item, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
- Decorations should shock trick or treaters – not your dog. Keep all electrical cords and decorations out of reach. One chomp on a cord could cause injury or even death. Pets can also become tangled in and injured by dangling cords or decorations, so tape down or contain them. Keep lit candles and jack-o-lanterns out of reach and on stable surfaces to avoid accidents.
- Costumes can be constraining. Yes, your pup may look adorable as a dinosaur or Cleopatra, but dogs, who are not used to wearing clothing, can feel uncomfortable in costumes. Many costumes also have loose accessories that could be hazardous if chewed or swallowed. If you must dress your pet, find a costume that has few accessories and is loose-fitting.
- Extra care for black pets. Don't let your pup fall victim to Halloween pranks; keep them inside or under supervision during the Halloween season. This is especially important for pets with black fur, since they are a target for pranksters.
The bottom line is this: with a bit of forethought and planning, you can help your dog safely navigate the weird holiday that is Halloween!
Fetch! Pet Care provides “loving, in-home overnight and/or daily care to any kind of pet in the most professional and reliable manner possible.” For more information, visit FetchPetCare.com or call 1-866-FETCH-ME.
NOTE: Always carefully investigate any pet sitter before leaving your dog with them.
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