So picture it through a dog's eyes. The
doorbell going off every five minutes for hours on end. Crazy looking
creatures and people crowding around the door. Shouts of "Trick or
Treat" screaming from tiny mouths. And nobody.....not one person comes
in to stay and visit. Besides, maybe, just maybe, your owner whom you
love and only want to please, has dressed you up as a butterfly,
pumpkin, loaf of Wonder bread, or strapped a horse costume on you
complete with a stuffed human being in a saddle on your back.
Seriously??? If your people wanted a horse instead of a dog, they
should have gone to the stable....
It
makes perfect sense that your dog might be a bit overwhelmed by
Halloween and all its festivities. So this little blog has been written
to give you some tips to make sure that you and your dog stay safe
through the holiday.
1) Leave candy and other people food for the kids
- most of us know that chocolate can be dangerous to a dog. If it's
ingested in sufficient quantities it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea,
racing heartbeats, panting and even convulsions. Other Halloween
goodies that might tempt your dog are sugarless gum that contains a
dangerous chemical called xylitol that can lead to dangerous drops in blood sugar levels causing vomiting, lethargy and seizures. Another no-no on the people
food list is raisins. Don't be fooled by the thought that raisins are
"healthy". They can severely damage a dog's kidneys. Just keep in mind
that foods safe for people, aren't always safe for your dog.
2) Disarm the doorbell. If
your dog goes "Cujo" at the sound of a ringing doorbell, think about
shutting out the lights and leaving for the evening. Put your dog in a
secure quiet area such as his crate or the laundry room or a bathroom.
Leave relaxing music playing to distract him from noise outside. Hang
out at a neighbor's house to distribute candy or leave a bowl on the
front porch with a sign that says, "Take one, please". Take your kids
trick or treating instead and leave your pup in the security and safety
of his own home. It is not recommended to leave him/her outside where
scary sights and sounds could entice him to try to escape.
3) Use caution with costumes -
If you want to dress up your dog in some Halloween finery, be sure the
costume is safe for your pet. Make sure it fits properly and doesn't
restrict his breathing or vision. Make sure that the costume is well
constructed and doesn't have loose pieces or little parts that may prove
to be a tempting treat for your pup. If you must use chemical products
on your dog, make sure they are organic, non-toxic and easy to wash
out. Bathe your dog immediately after your Halloween celebration has
ended.
4) Decoration detours -
Spooky Halloween decorations help to set the mood but also could prove
dangerous to your pet. Many decorations may resemble pet toys that your
dog has been allowed to play with in the past. Additionally, candles
and lanterns could cause serious injury to your pet if they were to get
too close. Make sure your decorations are out of the way and off limits
to your pet. Keep a careful eye on your pup to make sure he doesn't
get into trouble. If you do have a Halloween themed dog toy appropriate
for your dog, be sure to always supervise while he/she plays to make
sure they stay safe.
Here a few links to additional tips for pet safety for dogs and cats this Halloween.
Follow these recommendations and tips to make sure your Halloween holiday does not turn into a Halloween nightmare....
The
author would like to thank HOTLR alum Susie for once again modeling for
this blog and entertaining her owner by wearing this ridiculous witch's
hat.....I love ya Susie Q!!! For all the HOTLR rescues currently
available for adoption, please click here.
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