It’s Halloween weekend and while that means fun, candy, and costumes, it also means that there are a number of things to be aware of as pet owners. And yes, even some of those things that might seem innocent and all part of the holiday fun could end up being a hazard for our fur children.
In a press release from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, we were reminded of a number of tricks and treats we need to be aware of when it comes to potential Halloween hazards for our pups to avoid. And while some might be quite obvious (hello chocolate), others might come as a surprise (or not).
Of course, when it comes to Halloween hazards for our dogs, we are definitely starting with the chocolate, as it is one of the most prevalent treats for the season. And while we enjoy this sweet treat, it is definitely toxic for our dogs, with dark chocolate being even more dangerous than a classic milk chocolate.
Halloween hazards to watch out for as a dog owner
Another potential hazard of Halloween is raisins. (And while you might shake your head at raisins being a trick or treat option, there are more than just Sunmaid raisins on the market today.) As LSU School of Veterinary Medicine explains, raisins “can cause kidney failure if even small amounts are ingested.”
And while chocolate and raisins are the main concern, any large quantities of candy can be bad for our dogs, which is due in large part to the sugar and artificial ingredients used to make these sweet treats.
But what about non-edible Halloween treats? It’s not just the candy we need to watch out for. Any small toys, candy wrappers, and even decorations can become problematic, especially if your pup has a tendency to chew on things.
Finally, we have been having fun finding unique and adorable costumes for our dogs to wear this spooky season, but costumes can come with their own issues.
"You may want your pet to join in the fun and dress up for Halloween. If so, please make sure that the costume does not impair your pet’s vision, hearing, movement or air intake and that it does not have small pieces that could be broken off and ingested."
What do you think dog lovers? Are you mindful of what comes into your house at the holidays and during Halloween? Have you ever had an issue with a dog eating things that might make them sick? We want to know.