Enjoy a safe All Hallows Eve with your dog! 🎃

Hello lovers of all things dog! It's October and what a perfect time to write a blog post about life with dogs. As the seasons turn, dog owners are often grateful for lower temperatures and getting outside with your pups. That's awesome! The more activity you give your dog, the healthier your dog will be mentally and physically.

However, Halloween, the highlight of October, can be filled with a lot of risks that dog owners need to be prepared for. For instance, taking a walk with your dog during Halloween means you come into contact with candy, wrappers, and even broken eggs in yards and streets. What can you be on the lookout for?

• Chocolate – Chocolate consumption in dogs is a top ingestion problem at Halloween. Chocolate contains Theobromine, which can be harmful and sometimes fatal to your dog. Baking chocolate is exceptionally high in this chemical. The general rule of thumb is the darker the chocolate, the more danger it poses. If your pet consumes chocolate, contact your veterinarian,a veterinary emergency center or a pet poison helpline immediately. Quick treatment can minimize the danger to your dog. If your dog also ate candy wrappers or bags, it may present the additional problem of intestinal blockage. So, be sure to let your veterinarian know what was consumed.

“The main thing to watch out for is the amount of Theobromine a dog might eat. The darker the chocolate, the more Theobromine,” says Dr. Sharon L. Campbell, a veterinarian at Zoetis. “As a rule of thumb, the more bitter the chocolate tastes, the darker it usually is, and therefore the worse it is for dogs. Signs that your pet may have eaten chocolate include hyper-excitability and anxiousness, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, rapid breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea.”

• Candies/Gum – The biggest concern with candy is the risk of the ingredient xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol commonly used as an artificial sweetener. Xylitol is toxic to pets. This ingredient is often used in sugar-free items but has been showing up in more and more foods every day even when they are NOT labeled as sugar-free. Most often, xylitol is found in sugar-free gum, sugar-free candy, and sugar-free baked goods. It is sometimes found in toothpaste and peanut butter as well.

• Hard Candies – Hard candy can also present a problem for dogs. Aside from being a choking hazard, large quantities of hard candies and gum can clump up in the stomach and cause a risk of obstruction.

• Raisins – Some Halloween treat-givers often choose to pass out small boxes of raisins. This option is great for children, but raisins and grapes are dangerous to dogs and can cause renal failure. Be sure that you keep raisins out of your dog’s reach at all times. If your dog consumes raisins, please call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency center immediately. Prompt action can be helpful in reducing the risk to your pet.

• Pumpkins - While Pumpkin is non-toxic to pets, and thus can eaten throughout the year, dogs may swallow large pieces or even a stem, which could cause a dangerous intestinal blockage. They also can grow moldy - very moldy or composted pumpkins can grow molds called tremorgenic mycotoxins. These molds can cause dogs to develop whole body tremors, as well as vomiting and diarrhea. (Also, do not let your dog consume candles and battery operated lights!)

• Candy Wrappers – Toxicity with candy is not the only concern, the wrappers can also be an issue, as they can become lodged in your pet’s throat or intestinal tract, requiring surgery to remove. Wrappers that are foil or cellophane have the potential to result in gastrointestinal irritation.

This does not include fun outdoor decor, such as polyester spider webbing, yard ornaments, battery operated lights, and candles.

Furthermore, Glow Sticks, a safety feature often given to kids, are filled with a liquid that if punctured, will leak the glowing content. If ingested, this Glow-in-the-dark chemical causes:

• Agitation or aggression

• Blood in your dog's stool

• Drooling excessively

• Foaming at the mouth

• Gagging and/or heaving

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Lack of appetite

• Dehydration

• Hyperactivity

• Pawing at the eyes and mouth
  

Okay, so how about costumes? One of my favorite Halloween traditions is attending a dog costume contest with my pup all decked out as a fun creature. But are all costumes equal?

Well, some are definitely more creative than others...but as a general rule, costumes should be loose enough to provide freedom of movement but not loose enough to trip up their feet. On the other hand, costumes can't be too tight otherwise they will restrict breathing and make movement difficult. Make sure that your pet’s costume does not interfere with his vision or hearing. Also, beware of small parts, like buttons, that can be chewed off and swallowed. Steer clear of any hair dyes or paints that your pet could lick off their fur and become toxic if ingested. Check the label of any such product to ensure it is non-toxic if you absolutely must use it. Lots of pet owners opt for Halloween-themed bandanas as a safe, yet stylish way for your pet to celebrate the holiday.

Staying home and cuddling with your favorite horror movie (and favorite pooch) for Halloween? Fantastic. Here's a few things to look out for while keeping your dog at home for the holiday:

• Do not leave your dog outside on Halloween. It's unfortunate to say but vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Keep your pets safe inside the house and monitor them if they go into the yard.

• Make sure your pet has an updated tag with the correct address or phone number. Far too many dogs have escaped while their owner hands candy to trick-or-treaters. Late at night, that search can mean life of death for those animals.

• Remember that not all dogs are comfortable with the ruckus of the neighborhood during these occasions - there's doorbells ringing, lots of strangers at the door, and even people wearing strange things on their heads! Dogs can get stressed out by these changes, so provide a place for them to "escape" and provide a consistent noise (television, music, radio, ect) to dull the sounds. Seeing people can bring your dog's excitement up and a scared dog may even be provoked to bite so keep calm and make sure your dog is on leash if you answer the dog with him in the room.

Does your dog have trouble taking you for a walk in the moonlight? Do they turn into a Wolfman every time they see another dog? Do you wonder if they will listen if you tell them they aren't allowed to have that Snickers bar? Consider getting help from a dog training program, such as Basic Dog Etiquette. Please feel free to contact us to talk about how we can help you.