As October 31 approaches, the ASPCA would like to offer some common-sense cautions that’ll keep your pets safe and stress-free this time of year:
No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in costume unless you know he or she loves it (yup, some pets are real hams!). For companion animals who prefer wearing their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue stress.
If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not restrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe or bark. Keep a lookout for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that your pet could choke on.
Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could occur if large pieces are consumed.
For the ASPCA's complete list of Halloween safety tips, visit ASPCA.org.
And please remember, if you suspect that your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance — around Halloween or any time of year — call your veterinarian or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. (A $55 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.)
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