As Halloween approaches, protect your pet from seasonal dangers, such as decorations, candy, trick-or-treat anxiety and unsafe costumes.
Cumberland County Animal Safety’s Ellen Rosenfeldt said Halloween may not be the best holiday to celebrate with pets. Rosenfeldt said pet costumes can be hazardous for animals.
“Choose your costumes wisely, and you don’t put them on the same day as Halloween,” Rosenfeldt said. “You find out if they can tolerate it, or will tolerate it, cause you don’t want them chewing on it if there’s anything on there that could hurt them, as well, that could cause an obstruction or something.”
Rosenfeldt said some holiday treats are made of ingredients toxic to animals. Rosenfeldt said many peanut butter candies contain Xylitol, a sweetener used in the peanut butter. The chemical is harmless to humans, but can be lethal to dogs.
“Secure and store your candy, candy,” Rosenfeldt said. “There is, chocolate, especially, one of the biggest lines that can hurt a dog, kill a dog, or make him very sick, and cost a very high vet bill.”
Rosenfeldt said trick-or-treaters can be stressors for pets, ringing the doorbell and knocking on the door.
“I have a dog that is reactive,” Rosenfeldt said. “So, trick or treat, I turn the TV uh, TV up a little bit louder, because its not near my front door…I, put, put him up, put him in another room, get him in a safe room and keep him away from the door, cuz otherwise he’s going to be barking at the monsters and the little ghouls and we don’t want that to happen.”
Rosenfeldt said decorations can also be dangerous to pets. Rosenfeldt said using a flash light, instead of a candle can minimize the risk of burning pets.
“Make sure, most of all, you have an ID tag on all your animals, including cats,” Rosenfeldt said.
