Halloween Tails!
How to Keep Your Family Dog Safe On Halloween!
- Plan to keep your dog indoors for most of Halloween night. Even outdoor dogs should be brought inside to be protected from loud noises and all the commotion. Protect your dog from falling prey to bad tricks from neighborhood children, as has happened in the past. For example, dogs being injured by fireworks.
- You can take your dog trick-or-treating with the family. Just make sure the dog is on a leash at all times. Also, watch your dog for signs of distress and return home immediately if your dog appears frightened by the noises, or costumes.
- Do not leave your dog in the car on Halloween night, while you take your kids out. Dogs gets spooked by all the strange shadows and noises on that night. The safest place for your dog on Halloween is your own home. Keep you dog inside as much as you can.
- Yes, dogs do notice people are dressed up as the costumes appear darker and make people look bigger to a dog. The dog interprets this as threatening and the dog may feel stressed and could potentially act out aggressively. Your dog may act more aggressive and anxious on Halloween then their usual temperament.
- Keep Halloween decorations out of reach of your dog. As dogs can get curious and get hurt by attempting to eat or play with glass, plastic or rubber ornaments around the house. The SPCA warns ornaments can cause cuts and bleeding around the dog’s mouth and bowel obstructions if swallowed.
Tricks For Dogs – But No Treats Please!
- Make sure to tuck cords and electrical wires safely away from the areas your dog will be staying in, to avoid accidental tangling, strangulation or electrocution.
- Pumpkins look great when they are carved and lit up inside with a candle. But fire posses a huge dangerous to your dog. Dogs are naturally fearful of fires and flames, but keep them well away from lit jack-o-lanterns for their own safety.
- Keep all candies and chocolates away from your curious dog. The SPCA states that sweet candy made for people contains xylitol a substance strongly toxic to dogs. When a dog ingests human candy they can experience a significant drop in blood sugar that they cannot correct on their own. This can result is emergency low blood sugar levels in the dog causing, seizures, liver failure and death.
- A dog who has ingested xylitol may initially present with lethargy, appear depressed, or suddenly lack coordination. Then progress to seizures as noted by the SPCA, if no intervention has been done. See your veterinarian immediately if your dog exhibits these symptoms.
Do you have a Halloween dog story to share?