8 Halloween Dangers for Your Dog – How to Keep Him Safe

As we head into October, the countdown to Halloween begins! 

I confess that, recently, I have watched several scary films, such as Hocus Pocus (1 and 2) , Halloween Town and several other horror films, which are getting me into the spooky spirit of the season. 

Now all that's left is the decorations, some costumes and scary sweets. 

But, in addition to the fun, this season also brings some dangers and scares for our canine children. 

Here are some tips to avoid becoming petrified this season!

1. Keep chocolates away from Fido

Most Owners know that chocolate is toxic to dogs . 

But notice: According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, calls due to chocolate poisonings still account for 6% of total call volume (there are more than 30 calls per day) !

So what makes chocolate so dangerous for our canine companions? 

Well, it contains caffeine as well as a chemical called theobromine. (also known as the chemical cousin of caffeine) . 

Dogs cannot metabolize these compounds as well as we can, making them much more sensitive to the effects. 

Depending on the type of chocolate, the amount ingested and the size of your dog, chocolate can cause:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Excessive urination
• Panting
• Restlessness
• Accelerated heart rate

In severe cases, symptoms may also include muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure. 

Symptoms of chocolate toxicity usually occur between 4 to 24 hours after the dog has eaten chocolate.

Here's what you need to know: the darker and bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for dogs.

Classification of the worst: dry cocoa powder, baker's chocolate, dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate and milk chocolate.

2. But there are other dangerous treats

In addition to the chocolates scattered around your home this season, Pet Owners should also keep the following items away from their cute canines:

• Candy – The biggest concern with candy is that it may include xylitol, a sugar substitute that is toxic to pets.
• Hard Candy – Along with xylitol, according to the AKC, “Large amounts of hard candy and gum can accumulate in the stomach and cause a risk of obstruction.”
• Raisins - Although the exact toxin that makes grapes dangerous to dogs has not been identified, it is well documented that even small amounts of grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure and even death.
• Candy Packaging - It's not just the sweets that pose a potential risk to dogs, but also the packaging . If ingested, candy wrappers can become lodged in your dog's throat or intestinal tract, requiring surgery to remove them.

In all, Pet Poison Helpline reports:

“During Halloween week, calls to Pet Poison Helpline veterinarians increase by 12%, making it the call center’s busiest time of year.”

If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your regular veterinarian , or local emergency veterinarian.

3. Costumes for canines

When it comes to Halloween, do you like How to dress your dog in cute costumes ? 

There are many Tutors who do this! While it's fun to dress up our dogs, make sure the costume is comfortable, doesn't restrict their movement, doesn't cover their eyes to impede vision, and isn't too tight around the neck to potentially restrict breathing. . Also, ditch the hair dye!

4. Bad Decoration

Dogs are curious creatures who love to explore the world with their mouths. Therefore, when decorating your home, be sure to secure electrical wires, wind pseudo-cobwebs high (out of your pup's reach) and opt for candles and battery-operated lighting instead of real candles. 

A note about candles: Keep them away from curious noses and wagging tails. Sometimes our puppies don't realize something is hot until they get burned.

5. Glow stick

Glow sticks and glow jewelry are super fun for Halloween. But, if you plan on purchasing glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets, be sure to keep them away from Fido's mouth. They are easy for dogs to chew, and if punctured, the toxic liquid inside will leak out. This can cause mouth pain and irritation in dogs.

6. Doorbell Dilemma

Confession: My two dogs have terrible manners when someone knocks at the door. When the doorbell rings, they immediately run to the front door, look at the doorknob, and start barking as loud as they can. 

Does this sound familiar? Yes, I know I'm not alone with this problem. So on Halloween night, you can imagine how stressful the doorbell can be for our pets and us!

7. Outside the home

While it's recommended to keep pets indoors in a comfortable and safe place on Halloween night, if you're planning to take your canine companion out for a walk, make sure he's comfortable on a leash. If your dog has a reflective collar and harness set, use it during your evening walk. Additionally, even the most socialized dog can become scared, so make sure your dog is displaying his ID tag with up-to-date contact information. (prevention is always better than cure) .

8. Don't leave your pets outside unattended

In addition to supervised potty breaks in the yard, keep pets indoors the day before Halloween, the night of Halloween, and the day after Halloween. (even if they are behind a closed fence) . This is important to keep them away from cruel pranksters. While any pet can be a target, black cats are most at risk.