Halloween Pet Health Hazards You Need to Know

Last updated 6 months ago

While for many Halloween is a joyous occasion filled with tricks and treats galore, this holiday can pose a legitimately scary risk to your pets if you are not prepared. Keep reading for information from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Zoonosis Control for what you should watch for in your pet to make sure they stay safe.

Watch for nervousness or agitation as a result of people in the neighborhood and ringing doorbells. These types of activities may cause your pet to try to escape.
If you are walking your dog, make sure they have a reflective leash and collar for added visibility.
Keep your dogs confined to the house or backyard, if possible, to prevent stressful situations and the risk for biting that may come with them.
Watch your dog around your treats. Chocolate can be toxic to pets, especially those of the canine persuasion. Watch for excitability, restlessness, increased heart rate, muscles tremors, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you believe that your pet may have consumed chocolate, call your Veterinarian immediately.
Watch your dog for weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, seizures, anemia, increased thirst and urination, and bloody feces that may result from xylitol intake, which is found in sugar free gums and candies. Call your Veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the above symptoms.
While glow in the dark jewelry may seem like a fun toy to a cat, it can cause serious complications. If your cat ingests any glow jewelry chemicals, give them small quantities of milk, canned food, or tuna juice to dilute the chemical in their mouth.
Keep your pets, especially black cats, inside and safe as much as possible, as they can unfortunately become victim to malicious acts.
Keep the temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for your pet.

If you keep an eye on your pets and keep the people treats out of their reach, you will most likely have a pet scare free Halloween. But...if you do notice any of the signs or symptoms mentioned, please contact Preston Road Animal Hospital (north Dallas) at (972) 239-1309 or Meadow Brook Animal Hospital (McKinney) at (972) 529-5033 or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (800) 548-2423.