Halloween is a fun time filled with costumes, candy, haunted houses and trick-or-treating! But, it can be a dangerous time for your furry friends. Everything from candy to anxiety can cause troubles for your pets during this otherwise joyful time. The American Animal Hospital Association uses F.E.A.R to remind us how we can have a fun Halloween and keep our pets safe and sound at the same time.
F.E.A.R stands for Food, Environment, Attire and Recovery. Food refers to the obvious: candy! Make sure all Halloween candy is kept out of your pet’s reach and that your kids know not to share that chocolate treat with Fido. Candy wrappers can also causes problems such as obstructions that require surgery to clear. Candy alternatives such as grapes and raisins are toxic for dogs, so be sure to keep them away from those as well. Environment refers to the anxiety and potential harm that can befall pets during Halloween. Outdoor pets can get stressed by the costumes or even injured by those wanting to play practical jokes. Indoor pets are just as susceptible to anxiety and should be kept in a safe place during all of the Halloween excitement. A frightened pet may dart out an open door and even hurt children at your door. Be sure to keep harmful decorations away from your pet as well. AAHA warns, “Crepe paper streamers, fake cobwebs, glow sticks, plastic spiders and cardboard wall hangings can easily be chewed and swallowed, damaging your pet’s digestive tract”.
Snoopy and Belle look content in their costumes for our Costume Photo Contest. Photo: Fan Chen
Attire means costumes, and if your pet is game, just be sure that his/her costume does not interfere with movement, breathing or vision. Pets are safer left at home, but if you do decide to take them along trick-or-treating, be sure to keep them on very short leashes. Lastly, recovery refers to having a plan in place and being prepared should anything happen to your pet during Halloween. Always have our number (301-258-0333) close by in case of any emergencies. Be sure your pet’s tag information and microchip contains your current address and best contact phone numbers.
If your dog is one of those who enjoys dressing up, don’t forget to bring him/her to our fun-filled Howl-O-Ween celebration in daycare on Halloween day. We also provide a safe, fun place for your pet to stay during all of the chaos of costumes, doorbells and trick-or-treating. Give us a call today at 301-258-0333 to speak with one of our reservation specialists. We hope everyone and every pet has a happy and safe Halloween!