Are you a pet-parent and celebrating Halloween?

It’s usually a good time, right?

Costumes, candy, scary decorations, pumpkin carving, and the like. However, this isn’t always a great time for your pets. Especially if they’ve been left unattended candy. It will be important to take necessary steps to keep your pets’ secure, away from candy, and as calm as possible.

Keep away from the candy! If your dog is like mine, they will take every single opportunity to snack on human snacks. Unfortunately, this is not safe when it comes to Halloween. Not only is chocolate unsafe, there are many products on the market that contain xylitol (also going by the term “birch”) and this can be fatal if ingested by your pets. Keep all packaging and contact the emergency vet to determine next steps. You may also contact the Pet Poison Hotline 1-888-426-4435.

Sequestering your pet is also an important step to take on Halloween. Even if your beloved pet is not “usually a runner,” trick-or-treaters can be a very different experience. There are noises, strangers, smells, and it can be a confusing time for your pets. It is best to keep your pet comfortable in a kennel or it’s own room, with your clothing as scent, and without access to the exterior doors to the home. You may also call Tallahassee Lassie to take him out for a few hours, in the future. If your pets are particularly anxious, calming music will help, and contact your vet if medication or supplements are needed.

Have fun this Halloween, and thank you for keeping your pets’ well-being a priority.

You’re pawsome! Carla