Halloween Dog Safety

Halloween isn’t far off! This can be a fun time of year for Fido: he can run and play outside without getting too hot, and often enjoys that crisp weather as much as we do. Just keep in mind that the autumn holiday can be dangerous for Man’s Best Buddy. Read on as a Galena, MD veterinarian offers some Halloween safety tips for dogs.

Limit Outdoor Time

It’s always great when dogs have fenced yards to run and play in. However, it’s best if you limit your canine buddy’s outdoor time this week. Unfortunately, pranksters tend to come out in droves around Halloween. Fido may also get agitated seeing people in costumes walk by.

Be Prepared For Darkness

It’s starting to get dark pretty early now, so you’ll probably be taking your furry buddy out at night quite a bit. Make sure that you have reflective gear for both Fido and yourself.

Keep Candy Away

Many of those delicious Halloween treats are toxic to dogs. Chocolate can be deadly to Fido at just one once per pound of his body weight. Many candy bars also contain raisins, nuts, or xylitol, which are also toxic to our canine pals. Plus, the wrappers can be choking hazards. Keep those sweets away from your pup!

Beware of Toxins

Every season brings some unique dangers for our furry pals. In fall, toxins are one of the big concerns. Antifreeze, lawn/garden chemicals, rodenticides, mold, mushrooms, and foliage are all unsafe for your pooch. Take care with where you walk Fido, and don’t let him eat things off the ground.

Decorations

Some dogs will pretty much ignore decorative items. Others will want to sample them and see how they taste. Err on the side of caution here. Keep anything you don’t want ending up in your canine friend’s mouth (or stomach) safely out of reach. That includes small or sharp objects; anything with batteries, wires, or cords; plastic bags and wrappers; candles; potpourri burners; and toxic plants; to name a few.

Wild Animals

Many critters are looking for places to hibernate, and may be more aggressive than usual. Make sure Fido is current on parasite control and vaccines, and don’t let him nose around wild areas that may be housing wild animals.

As your Galena, MD animal clinic, we’re dedicated to offering great veterinary care. Please feel free to call us anytime!