HALLOWEEN can be a particularly dangerous time for our furry friends, with many things posing a threat to their health and well-being.
Not only this, but it could even pose a danger to those that find themselves at your door.
Pooch & Mutt’s Resident Vet Dr. Linda Simon and Canine Behaviour Expert Dr. Emma Scales-Theobald, PhD have shared six essential pieces of advice for keeping your dogs and trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween.
1. Ensure all sweets and chocolate are stored out of reach
Dr Linda Simon said: “Keeping all sweets and chocolate out of your dogs reach is advised all year long, however with Halloween comes copious amounts of both, so making sure they are kept where your dog cannot get to them is incredibly important.
“Chocolate is poisonous for dogs, as it contains theobromine and caffeine, which are two stimulants that dogs cannot efficiently metabolise, so ingesting even a small amount can make them quite unwell.
2. Supervise young children when they have access to sweets
Dr Linda Simon said: “As I mentioned in the previous piece of advice, sweets and chocolates are not safe for your dogs to consume. Whilst we adults know the dangers, our children might not.
"I recommend supervising young children when they are undoubtedly rummaging through their stash and ensuring they are not falling victim to your dog’s best puppy dog eyes and sharing their Halloween haul.”
3. Keep lit pumpkins where dogs cannot reach them
Dr Linda Simon says, “Whilst pumpkin is actually quite good for your dog, containing lots of nutrients and fibre, consuming it in large quantities can lead to vomiting, pain, and even intestinal blockage.
“It’s also a common Halloween tradition to pop a tealight candle inside a carved pumpkin which is not only a burn risk, but ingesting candle wax is likely to upset your dog’s tummy."
4. Keep dogs away from the door
Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, PhD said: “Lots of activity at your door can be quite stress-inducing for even the calmest of dogs, but if you have a particularly reactive dog, you need to be sure to prepare ahead of time.
"Whilst I will always recommend proper training with a professional to correct any reactive behaviours in your dog, there are things you can do to keep your dog calm and safe on the 31st October.
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5. Be cautious when it comes to dressing up your dog
Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, PhD said: “Trying to get a costume on your dog can be quite stressful for both parties, especially your unsuspecting pooch.
"I suggest getting your dog used to the costume a couple of weeks before Halloween with some positive reinforcement. Start by getting the costume out, laying it on the floor and allowing your dog to get a good sniff, all whilst offering praise and rewarding calm behaviour with a tasty treat."
Dr Linda Simon says, “Putting your dog in a costume is fun and can make for some seriously cute photos, however, making sure it is safe is exceptionally important. Whatever costume you put your dog in should not limit its ability to move comfortably and freely, breathe or bark. If it limits any of these, then do not force your dog to wear it.”
6. Make sure all decorations are well secured and out of reach
Dr Linda Simon said: "If you are someone that likes to decorate their home at Halloween, you need to ensure that all decorations are placed out of reach of your dog and are well secured to avoid your dog getting hold of them.”
“In the event of your dog chewing and ingesting any of your Halloween decorations, you will need to contact your vet as soon as possible. Ingestion of items of this kind can cause a whole host of issues, such from upset stomachs to intestinal blockages, which can become fatal.”
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