Saturday, October 16, 2010

Halloween Safety for Dogs



There are many potential dangers and sources of stress for your dog at Halloween. Keep your dog safe from these Halloween hazards.

Halloween Candy and Other Treats
Human treats are not usually good for dogs! Candy, especially chocolate, can be extremely toxic to your dog. Artificially sweetened candy, gum and other goodies may also contain xylitol, a highly toxic substance.

Dogs may also ingest food wrappers, causing a risk of choking, upset stomach or gastrointestinal blockage.

Various party snacks can be too salty and may contain ingredients that can poison your dog.

Alcoholic beverages and dogs do not mix - they pose a significant risk of severe illness or even death!

Keep all of these " goodies" far out of your dog's reach. If you are not positive that you can keep your pet away from these hazards, then consider confining him to another area of your home during the festivities.

Keep appropriate dog treats around for your dog , but remember not to overfeed.


Halloween Decorations
Dogs are curious about new objects around the house, and that includes Halloween decorations. Be sure decorations are not in areas where your dog could ingest them or bump into them.

Power cords trip your dog or lead to electrical shock if chewed.

Be careful with the placement of jack-o-lanterns to prevent your dog from eating it.

Candles can be knocked over, potentially burning your dog and/or starting a fire. Other decorations can be eaten or broken, causing serious harm to your dog.


Trick-or-Treaters and other Guests

Though many dogs love visitors, some can become fearful of strangers. Many dogs will even be afraid of people they know if those people are in costumes.

Constant ringing of the doorbell can get your dog over-excited or very stressed out. Think about your dog's typical reaction to visitors and take extra precautions for Halloween.

Keep your dog at a distance when greeting trick-or-treaters by putting up a baby gate or confining her to another area of the home.

When inviting guests into your home, introduce them to your dog in a positive manner. If your dog seems afraid of guests in costumes, remove her from the situation calmly.

During parties and loud gatherings, your dog might do better in another area of your home unless he is used to these types of events and has done well in the past.


Outdoor Dangers
It is extremely crucial that you keep your dog indoors unless directly supervised.

Sadly, there are cruel, mentally deranged people who have twisted ideas of fun at this time of year - and your dog can be the victim. Though it is more often black cats that are targeted during Halloween, any household pet can be at risk and MUST be kept indoors!

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