The Lost Dogs’ Home is warning those who celebrate Halloween to be wary of risks that may harm their pet.
While dressing up in scary costumes and trick or treating may not present any obvious immediate dangers for pets, there are a few things that all fur parents should consider on Halloween.
The Lost Dogs’ Home spokesperson Suzana Talevski said that several Halloween treats were toxic to pets and pet owners need to be vigilant in ensuring their animals didn’t ingest them.
“Pet owners need to hide any sweet treats out of their pet’s reach, the candy bowl is for trick-or-treaters and not our pets,” she said.
Ms Talevski urged pet owners to call their veterinarian or the animal poison helpline (1300 TOX PET) if they suspected their pet had ingested something toxic.
While costumes may be an essential part of Halloween for humans, they may not be safe for pets.
Ms Talevski encouraged pet owners to avoid putting their animals in costumes.
“If you do dress up your pet, make sure that the costume doesn’t limit physical movement or their ability to see, breathe and bark or meow,” she said.
‘’Before dressing pets in a costume, pet owners should check that the costume does not have any small pieces that could be chewed off and cause their pet to choke.’’
Ms Talevski warned that Jack-O-Lanterns could be hazardous if lit with an open flame as animals might be in danger of burns.
“Curious kittens are especially at risk of getting burned by a single candle flame,” she said.
‘’While it may be exciting to have an excuse to dress up and celebrate Halloween, the excitement may be too much for pets to handle. Frequent trick-or-treat visits from strangers may leave your pet feeling distressed and scared.
“Many unfamiliar people may cause your pet to act uncharacteristically or try to escape, so it’s a good idea to keep pets away from the door and always ensure they are microchipped just in case.”
