Halloween is always a fun time of year for everyone. The celebrations, decor, costumes, and children going door to door for candy can be very festive and enjoyable. However, it can also be a very stressful time for our furry friends. In all of the excitement, we might forget about how our pets react to all of the events going on around us, but we at TOP TAILS® Dog Walking & Pet Sitting have some pet care tips and tricks to keep your pet happy, healthy, and stress-free this festive season!
1. Halloween candies are meant for the kids, not your pet!
“Any form of chocolate, along with many types of sweeteners, can be dangerous for your dog or cat, even deadly” says Tanya Grant, owner of TOP TAILS®, “and it is vital to keep your children’s candy out of reach. Be sure to put bags of candy away in a safe place to prevent any serious health complications for your animals.” Also, be sure to look for signs of potential chocolate poisoning in dogs or cats such as vomiting, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, diarrhea, and even seizures.
2. Let your pet outside before the chaos begins.
Tanya also recommends you get the walking and potty-time out of the way earlier in the day to ensure no stressful run-ins with the trick-or-treating. “Make sure they have some time to have a quick run around and get some fresh air before the streets are crowded with parents and children.” Tanya Grant says, “As shocking as this may be, there are many counts of people teasing, injuring, or even stealing pets left in the yard during Halloween! As inexcusable as this is, it happens.” Additionally, although she does not encourage the idea of outdoor cats, Tanya recommends “for those cat lovers out there, if your cat is an outdoor cat keep them indoors for a few days before and after the holiday.” This prevents anything happening to your cat on the nights the streets are crowded and prevents them from being subjected to the possibility of cruel pranks or harm.
3. Keeping decorations out of reach.
Although Halloween and fall-themed plants may not necessarily be toxic to your pet, things like pumpkins and corn could cause gastrointestinal upset if they are not a regular part of your pet’s diet. Additionally, decorations like spider webs, garlands of leaves, and plastic spiders might look like fun toys to your pets, but if they are consumed could cause major problems to your pet’s health.
4. Provide a quiet safe-zone for your pet.
Pets tend to get excited or stressed when there is a doorbell ring or knock at the door. On Halloween, those triggers are near constant. So be sure to keep your pet in a quiet room that is far away from the excitement at the front door to ensure they will feel calm and less panicked.
Many consider their pet apart of the family, and they should be treated as such! So be sure to keep these tips in mind this Halloween season to ensure your pets have peace of mind. A stress-free pet is a happy and healthy pet. Have a fun and stay safe this holiday!