Some tricks and treats can be hazardous to pets: Keep your pets safe this Halloween season

Halloween may mean chocolate, candy, and costumes for people, but some of the things that make the holiday fun can pose health and safety risks for pets. LSU Vet Med encourages pet owners to take a few precautions to keep dogs and cats safe during Halloween celebrations.

TREATS

Why is chocolate dangerous for dogs?

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, naturally occurring chemicals known as methylxanthines. People can process these substances relatively quickly, but dogs metabolize them much more slowly. As a result, the chemicals can build up in a dog's body and cause potentially serious illness.

Pet owners should know:

• Not all chocolate poses the same risk. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher its concentration of theobromine and caffeine. Cocoa powder, baking chocolate and dark chocolate generally pose a greater risk than milk chocolate. White chocolate contains very little theobromine but can still cause gastrointestinal problems because of its high fat and sugar content.
• The danger depends on both the amount eaten and the dog's size. A small dog that eats several ounces of chocolate may be at considerably greater risk than a large dog that consumes the same amount. The type of chocolate also makes a significant difference.
• Chocolate toxicity can affect several body systems. Theobromine and caffeine stimulate the central nervous system and heart and can also act as diuretics, increasing urine production.
• Signs of chocolate toxicity may include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, excessive thirst, increased urination, rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors and seizures. Severe cases can be life-threatening.
• Don't wait for symptoms to appear. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, contact your veterinarian or a veterinary emergency clinic promptly. Be prepared to provide the dog's approximate weight, the type of chocolate, how much may have been eaten, and when the exposure occurred.
• Don't induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinarian. Whether vomiting is appropriate depends on several factors, including when the chocolate was eaten and the animal's condition.

Halloween candy can present other hazards as well. Sugar-free candy and gum may contain xylitol, a sweetener that can cause a dog's blood sugar to fall dangerously low and may cause liver injury. Candy wrappers can also cause gastrointestinal obstruction if swallowed.

Pet owners should keep candy bowls, trick-or-treat bags, and candy out of pets' reach.

TRICKS

Think twice before putting your pet in a costume.

Halloween costumes may look cute, but not every pet enjoys wearing one. A costume can cause stress or even create a safety hazard if it restricts an animal's movement, breathing, hearing or vision.

Before dressing a pet for Halloween:

• Consider your pet's temperament. Some animals tolerate clothing well, while others become anxious or frightened. Panting, freezing in place, trying to escape, hiding, vocalizing, or repeatedly attempting to remove the costume can indicate discomfort or stress.
• Make sure the costume fits properly. It should not restrict breathing, walking, running, hearing, vision, or normal movement.
• Watch for choking and intestinal hazards. Buttons, bells, ribbons, elastic bands, strings, and other small decorations can be chewed off and swallowed.
• Avoid masks or anything covering the face. Pets rely heavily on their eyes, ears, noses, and whiskers to understand their surroundings. Obstructing those senses can be stressful for the pet.
• Watch for overheating. Heavy or elaborate costumes can trap body heat, particularly in warm climates or when pets are outdoors.
• Never leave a costumed pet unattended. Even an animal that initially tolerates a costume may become tangled or begin chewing on it.
• Don't force it. If a pet appears uncomfortable, remove the costume. A festive collar, bandana, or other simple accessory may be a better choice for an animal that does not tolerate clothing.

OTHER HALLOWEEN PRECAUTIONS

• Halloween itself can be stressful for pets. Repeated doorbell ringing, unfamiliar visitors, children in costumes, and increased neighborhood activity may frighten some animals.
• LSU Vet Med recommends keeping pets in a secure, comfortable area away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Make sure dogs and cats have current identification information and are microchipped when possible, in case they escape.
• Keep candles, jack-o'-lanterns, electrical cords, and decorations out of pets' reach, and remember that a pet that normally enjoys meeting people may react differently to masks, costumes, loud noises, and unusual activity.

If your pet becomes sick or if you think that it may have ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian immediately. Delays in seeking veterinary help may seriously complicate the problem. If your pet requires medical care after-hours, you can bring your pet to the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital on Skip Bertman Drive; the hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and remains open even during holidays and weekends. Please call 225-578-9600 or go to lsu.edu/vetmed/veterinary_hospital for more information about the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

You can also contact the Pet Poison Helpline at petpoisonhelpline.com, an animal poison control center based out of Minneapolis, at 855-764-7661. The helpline is available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals that require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. The Pet Poison Helpline’s fee of $89 per incident includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case.

Another resource is for animal poison-related emergencies is the ASPCA at aspca.org/Home/Pet-care/poison-control, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 888-426-4435. A consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

Please help make this a safe and happy holiday season for all of your family members. 

About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.