Halloween is almost here in Roswell, Georgia. The children are finalizing their outfits and the parents are bracing for sugar-crazed activity from their kids. It is a great time to enjoy with families and many will be including their pets in the festivities. For some dogs, this is a blast...a social bonanza. However, for many pet's this is their version of going to the dentist. We dread the day and then want it over as fast as possible. Chattahoochee Animal Clinic has put together a helpful list of safety tips for your furry family member. Now, we know dogs will be dogs and sometimes even the most prepared pet owner can have a dog or cat get into something that they should not have. So, if you have any questions please contact us immediately, especially during the candy season. We are happy to help, educate, and problem-solve any pet problems or questions you may have.

•  Keep pets safely inside, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities.

• Pets can become frightened or feel threatened at the sight of noisy costumed children, and run off into the night.  Cats, especially black ones, have been the target of pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and even killed pets on this night.

• Ensure all pets are wearing collars with ID tags in case of accidental escape. If for any reason they escape and become lost, a collar and tags and/or microchip increases the chances that they will be found and returned to you.

• Keep candy out of your pet’s reach. Candy can be harmful to pets and chocolate can be deadly to cats and dogs. Keep aluminum foil and cellophane candy wrappers away from pets as well as they can cause vomiting and could even produce intestinal blockage.

• Never offer or allow your pets to consume alcoholic beverages. Place unattended drinks where pets cannot reach them. If ingested, the animal could become very ill and weak and may go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

• Keep pets away from decorations such pumpkins and decorative corn. Although considered relatively non-toxic, these items can cause gastrointestinal upset and may even result in intestinal blockage if large pieces are ingested.

• Jack-o-lanterns and candles can quickly singe, burn or set fire to a pet’s fur. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire.

• Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of pets.

• If chewed, pets can experience damage to their mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.   

• Don’t put your pet in a costume UNLESS you know they love it. For pets that are dressed up, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede the ability to breathe or bark. Look out for small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that a pet can choke on. Make sure the costume does not obstruct vision in any way.

• Be aware of hanging decorations as pets can become tangled in streamers or choke if they chew on them.

• Don’t bring the family dog along for trick-or-treating. Dogs may become difficult to handle during the noise and confusion of the night. A lost dog or dog bite will quickly end your holiday fun.

• Keep your pets safe in an enclosed area with a toy and some soothing music.