Pet safety: Keeping your dog and cat safe on Halloween

October 25, 12:48 AMPet Health ExaminerLorie Huston

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Keep dogs and cats safe on Halloween.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com/Sarah Ackerman

Halloween is right around the corner and it can be a fun evening for everyone. However, pet owners are often unaware of the threats that Halloween brings to their dogs and cats.

Halloween chocolate can be toxic to both dogs and cats

Halloween trick-or-treat bags often contain chocolate treats. And while these treats may be okay for children to consume, chocolate is not safe for dogs and cats.

In most cases, dogs are at more risk than cats because they are more likely to consume larger, more toxic quantities of chocolate. However, even cats are risk for chocolate intoxication if they eat enough of it.

Chocolate contains a product known as theobromine which is poison to dogs and cats. Symptoms associated with chocolate toxicity include nervousness, excitability, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary problems, seizures and coma. Chocolate toxicosis can be fatal.

Different types of chocolate possess varying levels of toxicity and the amount of chocolate necessary to cause illness for pets depends on the type of chocolate and the size and health of the individual animal.

Halloween treats with xylitol can be poison to pets

Xylitol is a sugar substitute often found in sugar-free candies and chewing gums. Very small amounts of xylitol can be toxic, particularly to dogs. Pets may be attracted to the sweet taste of candies and other substances containing xylitol.

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, depression, weakness, diarrhea, seizure, collapse, coma and death. Progression of the illness can be quite rapid and is often fatal.

The effects of xylitol on cats is unknown at this time. However, it is likely best to err on the side of caution and keep these substances out of reach of pet cats as well as dogs.

Avoid Halloween foreign bodies in pets

Halloween is filled with costumes and decorations, some of which may contain pieces of plastic, fabric, strings or other materials which may attract curious dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to ingestion of foreign bodies while exploring or playing with unfamiliar objects. These foreign bodies can cause intestinal obstructions and worse and may require medical or even surgical intervention to treat successfully.

Keeping costumes and other Halloween decorations out of the reach of curious or playful pets is a reasonable precaution.

Physical dangers to dogs and cats on Halloween

It is probably advisable to keep pets indoors on Halloween night. Though reports of satanic rituals and other ceremonies involving pets may be exaggerated, pets are likely safer indoors away from strangers and those seeking to harm them.

In addition, in many neighborhoods, large numbers of people (including young children) are likely to be roaming from door to door and unsupervised pets may pose a danger to these trick-or-treaters as well. Keeping pets indoors and well-supervised can help pet owners avoid an unpleasant visit by animal control officers or other health officials.

Pets and Halloween

Keeping pets away from Halloween treats and keeping them indoors and supervised can help guarantee a safe and enjoyable Halloween for all family members. No one wants to risk needing to make an emergency visit to the veterinarian with their pet on Halloween or in the days following and these simple precautions can help avoid needless illness and injury to pets.

Readers who enjoyed this article might also enjoy:

• Chocolate Toxicity in Pets
• Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs and Cats

The copyright of the article Pet safety: Keeping your dog and cat safe on Halloween is owned by Lorie Huston. Permission to republish Pet safety: Keeping your dog and cat safe on Halloween in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.