Halloween Safety Tips for Dogs
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by Judy - Online Dog Coach
Halloween is a fun time for ghosts and goblins. This is also a time to take some special precautions for your dogs.
When the little ones go out trick or treating they are often accompanied by a parent and sometimes the family dog. It is not uncommon for your dog to have a costume too. If this is in your plans for this haunting season please take care. Some dogs may find the strange creatures walking the streets frightening, be sure that you are in control at all times; a short leash is a must.
If your dog is to wear a costume make sure it does not impede his movement or vision. When meeting other families, approach dogs and children cautiously, do not assume that just because your dog is friendly that the others are too.
Also be alert if your dog is staying home to answer the door with you. Your dog may have perfect door manners when strangers approach, but this is a special night and the costumes may be frightening, be prepared for every situation. It may be in your dog’s best interest to put him in a quiet room away from the hubbub.
When the evening is winding down and the kids are home with their treasures, phase two of taking care of your pet’s well being should be in place. You should not assume that human food and candy is safe for your pet. Be sure that the pets cannot get into your stash of Halloween candy and as always feed your dog right to increase their life span.
- We all know that chocolate is not appropriate for dogs, it contains the toxin Theobromine also found in coffee, tea and products with caffeine. The rule with chocolate, the more bitter the chocolate the more deadly. Bakers chocolate and unsweetened chocolate are the most dangerous.
- Macadamia nuts, along with other kinds of nuts are harmful also. High phosphorus content in macadamia nuts can lead to bladder stones. Dogs can develop a weakness of the skeletal muscles and possible paralysis of the hind quarters can develop. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting.
- Raisins can be deadly even in small quantities (0.05oz of raisins per lb of body weight can be life threatening). As few as a handful of raisins can make a large dog very ill. The toxin emitted from raisins can damage kidneys and cause failure.
- Sugary foods can lead to obesity in our pets, just as in humans.
- There are many other foods that are dangerous for the family dog, do your homework before allowing the dog to have free range on people food.
If you think your pet has been poisoned seek veterinary help immediately.
- ASPCA National Poison Control Center 1-900-443-0000 or 1-888-426-4435 $60.00 per case charge billed directly to the callers phone
- Pet Poison Help Line 1-800-213-6680 $35.00 per incident 24 hour service available throughout North America
And the Top 10 Halloween tips from the Online Dog Coach trainers are…
Number 10: If your dog is trick-or-treating, keep him or her on a short leash.
Number 9: Be sure your dog’s costume does not impair his or her vision or movement.
Number 8: Train your dog to stay at the door with the help of a family member or friend.
Number 7: Keep a positive attitude – Halloween is a great opportunity to train good behavior when the door bell rings.
Number 6: If you have a split screen door, take the top half out to allow you to hand out goodies while keeping your dog safely in the house.
Number 5: Keep the candy bowl and kiddies’ loot away from your dog – it can make them sick.
Number 4: If your pets are overzealous at the door, it might be better to put them in another room while you are attending to trick-or-treaters.
Number 3: If you have a storm door, leave the front door open, or watch through a window so you can see the trick-or-treaters before they ring the bell.
Number 2: Rent a dog training facility for a doggie Halloween party for other dog lovers that would rather spend the evening with their four-legged friends.
Number 1: Turn off the lights and pretend you’re not home!
Resources:
e-dogtraining.com
Entirelypets.com
Petalia.com
peteducation.com
About the Author
Judy has raised and trained dogs for over twenty years. She has formal training in both dog agility and obedience. She has been competing in dog agility since 2000.