Halloween is an annual event that most children, and lots of adults, look forward to enthusiastically, anticipating a day and evening filled with masks, candy, and pranks! But this holiday can be particularly spooky for the furry children in your family. To make Halloween fun for all of your family members, take note of these Halloween safety tips for your pet.

Safety First

Walk your dog while it is still light out, if possible. Your dog may find candy, wrappers, and broken eggs on lawns and streets. Make sure that these tempting treats stay out of reach. Don’t leave your dog unattended outside on Halloween, even if he is behind a fence. Not only can pranksters target family pets, but all the activity and commotion can increase your dog’s stress levels unnecessarily. Also, well-meaning neighbors may give unwanted treats to your dog.

Stash the Treats

The candy bowl is for trick-or-treaters, not Scruffy or Fluffy. Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Watch the Decorations and Keep Wires Out of Reach

While a carved jack-o-lantern certainly is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. Curious kittens are especially at risk of getting burned or singed by candle flame. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered relatively nontoxic, but can produce stomach discomfort in pets who nibble on them.

Glow sticks are a fun Halloween trend and can help keep humans a little safer in the nighttime, but for dogs and cats, these items look like toys. Glow-in-the-dark items are filled with a liquid that if punctured, will leak the glowing content which if ingested, causes mouth pain, irritation, and excessive salivation.

Keep all battery-operated toys and décor out of reach from curious pets, as they can be chewed or ingested resulting in a visit to the emergency veterinarian clinic.

Costumes and Masks

The trend of dressing dogs in costumes has increased over the years. It is quite simple to find costumes created specifically for pets, however, that does not necessarily ensure their safety.  For some pets, wearing a costume may cause undue stress. Legend Acres recommends that you don’t put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it. If you do dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume does not limit his or her movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that could present a choking hazard. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

Be sure to have your pet try on the costume before the big night. If he or she seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting your pet wear his or her “birthday suit” or don a festive bandana instead.

Keep Pets Calm and Easily Identifiable

Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors arriving at the door, and too many strangers can often be scary and stressful for pets.  All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. While opening the door for guests, be sure that your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside. And always make sure your pet is wearing proper identification—if for any reason he or she does escape, a collar with ID tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver for a lost pet.  If your pup is likely to try to run out the front door and is comfortable in a crate with Adaptil https://amzn.to/3S45PdC, consider putting them in the crate with a treat-filled toy and some soft music playing in the background. A spritz of Feliway (https://amzn.to/3g5DZAC) can help keep cats calm. If your dog is reactive with the doorbell, consider sitting outside with your bowl of treats to reduce the stress on your pets. 

Behavior

Even the best-behaved dogs can become skittish or overwhelmed. Know your dog and watch their body language to decide if he’s best tucked away in a crate or a quiet room as opposed to joining the family for Trick-or-Treating, greeting the costumed neighbors or participating in a Halloween party. To prevent your dog from running out, make sure he is under control as you open the door for trick or treaters.  “No tricks, no treats” is the best Halloween plan for your dog. That may not sound like fun for your dog, but if your neighborhood is particularly busy on Halloween and the sidewalks are overflowing with exuberant parents and screaming children, it is best to leave your pet at home. Why expose him to the chaos and risk upsetting him?

You may be thinking, “Fido loves kids and knows this neighborhood like the back of his paw!” Even kid-loving dogs, intimately familiar with their normal exercise route, can be thrown off by extra people on the street and may become agitated. Scary-looking costumed humans that approach for a friendly pat on the head may frighten your dog. This fear reaction can be unsettling for dogs and downright dangerous for trick or treaters. Scared dogs, even the nicest ones, may growl and bite when they feel threatened.

We wish you and your pets a happy and safe Halloween!

Kristi May MS, CVPM, LVMT, BSA, AHT, ABCDT, CHA Cert Riding Lesson Instructor, CHA

EFM, Cert Equine Nutrition, Cert Animal Cognitive Behavior, AKC Evaluator, AKC Fit Instructor, Pet Partners Therapy Evaluator, PPG Canine Training Professional

Middle/West, TN

Surprise, AZ

(931) 516-3064‬ 

www.Legend-Acres.com

Resources:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/vets-corner/halloween-safety-tips-for-dog-owners/

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/halloween-safety-for-pets

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/halloween-safety-tips-pets

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/halloween-pet-safety

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/halloween-safety-tips

These ten tips will help you keep your pup healthy during National Pet Wellness Month and all year long.

We all want our furry friends to enjoy long, happy, and healthy lives. With October being National Pet Wellness Month, it's the perfect time to focus on the importance of routine checkups and healthy lifestyle choices for your beloved pup. Celebrate by making positive decisions that can help your dog live longer, boost their vitality, and ensure they thrive!

1.Focus On Nutrition

Adequate nutrition keeps a dog fit and healthy and helps prevent many diseases. It's all about the ingredients in the food they get: high protein sources like chicken and eggs build muscle, and fruits and vegetables are natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are necessary for a well-functioning immune system. The old axiom "you are what you eat" applies to dogs as well as to humans, so choose a high quality food for your dog's optimum health. Talk to your vet and make sure your pup has the best diet for them.

2.Control Their Weight

Obesity in dogs can lead to problems like Cushing's disease to skin irritations, heart failure, cancer, and ligament and disc issues. An overweight pet has a decreased quality of life. Be sure your dog gets the proper nutrition, but be aware that a dog who's at a healthy weight will have more energy and better overall health. If you're worried that your dog is overweight, talk to your vet.

3.Get Enough Exercise

Exercise burns calories directly, but there's another benefit; it also can provide a boost to the metabolic rate that lasts for hours after the dog has stopped to rest. Regular exercise keeps the animal's muscles, tendons, and bones strong. It also provides a measure of mental stimulation. Spend some time exercising with your dog -- walking, playing, and enjoying the outdoors. It will do you both a world of good!

4.Don't Skip Dental Care

Check your pet's mouth -- gums should be a healthy, pink color and teeth should look clean without signs of brown tartar. Use a special dog toothbrush or piece of soft gauze, and massage the teeth or gums. Once your dog gets used to this, you will be able to brush their teeth two or three times weekly as part of a regular routine. If you see signs of oral disease, like inflamed gums, or notice loose teeth, it's time for professional help from your veterinarian. 

5.Brush Their Fur

Regardless of the length of a dog's fur, regular brushing is great because it removes dead hair and distributes natural oils for a clean, healthy coat while stimulating the surface of the skin. It’s also an opportunity for you to become familiar with your pet's body, making it More likely that you'll notice any changes, like unusual growths or abnormalities, that need the attention of a veterinarian. Brush your pet every couple of days, and make it a pleasant time you share together.

6.Don't Overdo The Bathing

7.Learn How To Take Care Of Nails

If you can hear the "click" as your dog crosses the floor, the nails are probably too long. Choose a pet nail clipper that feels comfortable in your hands and gives a clean line of sight to exactly where the blade is cutting. Less is more in this case, so don't clip too closely. Ask your groomer for tips if you don't feel confident.

8.Check And Clean Those Ears

Clean ears feel good to your dog and are important for preventing ear infections. Examining the outside of the ears also alerts you to the presence of wood ticks, fleas, or anything unusual. To clean your dog's ears, use a cotton ball, piece of gauze, or a baby wipe with an ear-cleaning solution -- water won't work because it evaporates too quickly.

9.Don't Go Overboard With Supplements

Reputable pet food manufacturers go to great lengths to make sure that their products contain the right proportion of vitamins and minerals, so adding more without first consulting your veterinarian might throw this delicate balance out of whack. Some fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, are not easily eliminated from the body and could build up to toxic levels. 

10.Spend Quality Time With Your Dog

Happiness is an important component in your dog's overall wellness, so don't underestimate the benefit of spending time with your best canine friend. Left alone without companionship or mental stimulation, animals can become depressed, act out in destructive ways, or even become lethargic.Y our pet is a family member. Interact with them -- talking, walking, playing together, stroking, and giving the affection and attention they so deserve. Your dog will benefit and reward you with unconditional love.

Are you making any healthy changes for your dog during National Pet Wellness Month? We would love to hear from you! Visit our “Social Media” link of choice and let us know what your doing? Thank you for visiting us. ~Legend Acres