Halloween is fun and dangerous

Halloween is one of the most popular holidays of the year. We get to costume ourselves and we let go (a little bit) of our inhibition.

Although it is a fun family time, it has the potential to turn ugly, fast and in an expensive way. Our furry-family members are often forgotten, as our attention is focused on our little ones and or the trick-o-treaters.

The dangers are real. With all the door openings-closings, it is easy for a four legged friend to escape or to get anxious as he sees the Halloween guests.

Candy Bowl

But the risks don’t end at the door. The candy bowl that you keep by your door, for the little monsters? The content of the bowl is a disaster waiting to happen.

Candies are bad for your furry companions. Chocolate is known to be very toxic for dogs. The side effect goes from vomiting and diarrhea to seizures and death. The risks are not to be taken lightly. Recent researches have shown that not all chocolate can be lethal to dogs. But why take any chances? Place your candies bowl out of reach of your dog because in this case, it is better to be safe than sorry. And there is not only the chocolate that can be dangerous. The candy wrapping can be dangerous too. These wrappings can easily get stucked in a dog’s stomach and air-pipes, chocked him. Both cases (the chocolate/candy-wrappings) can force you to a visit with your dog worst enemy, the vet. Your dog won’t like the vet’s treatment – who can go as far as a surgery to eliminate the wrapping – and your wallet can get lighter fast, very fast. When you take in consideration that a “surprise, unplanned visit” to the vet plus treatment can easily reach a few thousand dollars.

No, that is not Jake... yet!

Can I costume my dog?

Absolutely. Please do so. Dogs are so cute and funny as a lion or a hot dog or a superhero. If they let you, that is. But please, before you buy the costume, check if it is safe. Buttons, ribbons, plastic pieces and anything else that can be ripped from a costume are all items that you should be on the lookout for.

The danger lies also with our own costumes. Just imagine losing your fake plastic (and surely) toxic witch nose... it wouldn’t last long enough on the floor for you to pick it up.

Ding Dong

On Halloween night, how many times will you open/close your front door? Some popular neighborhood will see more than 100 kids / door. Each time your door opens, it is one more chance your dog is given to run away. The best way to avoid having to spend the night calling the animals shelters, is not to let your dog on the loose inside. Keep him on his leash and keep him busy with an antler. Also, ALWAYS make sure that your dog wears his medals, that identify him by name, with your phone number.

Darth Vader might (will) scare your dog

Even a good, behaving dog can get surprised on Halloween’s night. You think not? What if you open your door to Darth Vader? Or to a kid that would wear something that would set your dog off? The last thing you need, on Halloween night, is an anxious, scared and excited dog that might bite one of the children.

What can you do?

To make sure your pooch is in a good state of mind on Halloween night, take a long, long, very long walk in the afternoon. By tiring your dog, at least 50 % of your worries will be gone. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should lower your guard. You should always be aware of what your dog is doing and how is his state of mind in order to try to diffuse any potential and dangerous situation.

In the kitchen, the dogs can still see who is at the door.

If you can, try to have your dog in a room that is closed by a child gate (life and furniture saver for the Green Dog’s human parents) so he can see and smell what is happening or, have somebody keep him on his leash. Another solution, is to keep the dog in his kennel, one the safest place for your dog. 

And also, don’t forget to keep him busy with an antler! A busy dog is a good dog!

Whatever solution you find, make sure you are comfortable with it.

And...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

BOUH!

Ref: What can happen if you dog ingest chocolate :
http://www.petmd.com

Ref: What makes chocolate toxic to your dog?

http://vetmedicine.about.com