Expert: Pets rely on their owners to keep them safe on Halloween
Yard ornaments and amusing pet costumes for Halloween are good fun for humans, but they may cause a scare for pets.
The National Retail Federation predicts consumers will spend more than $13 billion this year on costumes for their furry friends.
Dr. Kelly Skinner, medical director of All Pet Healthcare in Indianapolis, said how a pet reacts to a costume depends on what they have been exposed to. Costumes or gigantic yard decorations making noise or sudden movements can frighten them and endanger their safety. She emphasized taking precautions when pets accompany trick-or-treaters.
"It's not appropriate to have your pet off-leash during Halloween. There are going to be vehicles that are out on the road and if they do seem like they're fearful of costumes or those kinds of things, then it's probably best if they stay at home," Skinner recommended.
If the pet reacts to repeated doorbell rings, it is a good idea to place them in a secured room to calm them or prevent attempts to run off, she noted. Well-meaning residents on the trick-or-treat trail with dog snacks should ask the pet owner’s permission before giving anything to an animal. Skinner also suggested owners wait until they arrive home and thoroughly examine the snack to make sure it's safe for their pet to eat.
A bag full of tempting sweets is hard for humans to resist, and fur babies are no different. The American Kennel Club says sugary treats can lead to pets experiencing vomiting, blood sugar drops or seizures. Skinner stressed one product in particular should be kept out of reach of dogs.
"They should not get chocolate. Those can be very, very toxic," Skinner cautioned. "The other thing that we have to worry about is sugar-free candy, gum. Make sure that they're not able to get into any gum. There are some dogs that do have the tendency to develop pancreatitis when they get treats."
Chocolate contains theobromine and methylxanthines, which can lead to diarrhea, rapid heart rate and tremors in dogs. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum and mints, can cause death, according to the American Kennel Club, and hard candy can clump and cause an obstruction in a pet's stomach.
