Moment of Paws

By Dr. Edward Schettino

For most of us, the best part of Halloween is the treats. For some of us, it’s the tricks. When it comes to your pets, however, it’s best to keep the fun limited to the humans in your household. Amongst the festive costumes, parties, trick-or-treating, decorations, and candy lurks potential danger and stress for our furry family members.

As you prepare for the spookiest night of the year, keep these 5 tips in mind to keep your pets safe:

• Keep treats out of reach. The bowl of candy that we make easily accessible for tiny trick-or-treaters, is also in paws-length for our pets. Chocolate in all forms can be dangerous for cats and dogs, as it contains theobromine and caffeine. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more harmful it can be. Additionally, the artificial sweetener xylitol found in sugar-free candy is toxic. Even ingesting small amounts can cause seizures, liver failure, and even death. If you suspect that your pet has ingested something toxic, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
• Take care with decorations. Halloween gives us the opportunity to set a spooky ambiance for the season. However, many decorations are not pet-friendly. Faux spider webs or plastic toys can be ingested. Curious puppies and kittens can easily knock over a lit jack-o-lantern causing severe burns or setting fire to your home. When in doubt, keep potentially dangerous objects out of the house, and admire your neighbor’s elaborate décor instead.
• Set up a calm environment for your pet. If you have a pet that is shy, skittish or anxious, Halloween can increase these behaviors. The constant ring of the doorbell, and a flurry of strangers coming and going can be too much for some animals. Set your pet up in a separate room with everything to make them comfortable and relaxed – toys, treats, and their favorite bed. You can also put on the TV, radio, or a white noise machine to drown out the bustling activity.
• Make sure you pet’s identification is up to date. With the front door frequently opening and closing, there is always a chance that your pet will dash out the door. In the event that your cat or dog becomes lost, your want to make sure your pet’s ID tag and microchip information are current. Having these two things drastically increase the chances that you will be reunited.
• Skip the costume (well, sometimes). Dressing up your pet can be adorably cute, but it may also cause them undue stress and anxiety. Unless your cat or dog is completely comfortable with it, it’s best to avoid costumes altogether.

With a little bit of planning and precaution, you can ensure that everyone in your household can enjoy Halloween spook-free.

Dr. Edward Schettino is the President and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and has a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Pet questions? Email ARL at [email protected].