Halloween Safety Tips

I want to share with all of you this interesting article from the Affordable Pet Care Plan Newsletter.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

1. No tricks, no treats. Chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, but tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed as well. All candies or gum sweetened with xylotol is toxic and should be kept away from your pets. If your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, contact your veterinarian immediately.

2. Popular halloween plants, such as pumpkins and decorative corn, are considered relative nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset if your pet ingest them.

3. Wires and cords, from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of pets reach. If chewed, your pet can experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic. They can also receive a life-threatening electrical schock.

4. Dress-up can be a big mess-up. Pets should not be put into costumes unless it's known that he or she loves it. Wearing a costume can be very stressful for your pet.

5. When your pet is wearing a costume, make sure the costume is safe. It should not constrict your pet's movement, vision, hearing or impede the ability to breath or bark. Watch for those small, dangling or easy to chew pieces of the costume that your pet could choke on.

6. All pets, unless extremely social, should be kept in a separate room during prime trick-or-treats hours. Too many starngers wearing costumes may be scary and stressful for your pets.

7. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, watch that your cat or dog doesn't escape. Repeatedly opening doors to greet trick-or-treaters can increase the chances of your pet running out. Keep an eye on their whereabouts at all times. If feasibe, keep cats in a secure area or closed room when opening your front doors.

8. ID's please! Always make sure that your pets have proper identification. If your pet escapes and becomes lost, an id tag in his collar with your phone number inscribed on it can increase the chances of your pet being returned to you. A microchip offers the safest and more effective permanent form of identification. Ask your veterinarian about micro-chiping options.

9. No candles por favor! Pets are naturally curious and may be attracted to the bright ligths or a flame in dark areas. Dogs and cats could either burn themselves by the flame or knock the candle over, starting a fire.

Source: Affordable Pet Care Plan Newsletter. Issue 38. Volume 3 Year 2009. Page 8.