Halloween Can Be Safety Nightmare For Pets
Galesburg, IL--The Prairieland Animal Welfare Center, Galesburg, and the American Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) would like to remind pet owners that Halloween means they need to take special precautions with their pets.
Most of these precautions are common sense, says the Animal Shelter, but animal owners need to be aware of potential problems to keep Scruffy and Fluffy save and sound.
The treats are for the Trick-or-Treaters! Chocolate in all forms can be dangerous for dogs and cats even in small amounts, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous to animals if swallowed.
Dressing up pets in costumes can be fun but some pets don't like this. Yes, some animals are real hams, but some pets do not enjoy being dressed up, and this can cause undue stress to them.
If you do dress up your pet, make sure the customer isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not restrict the animal's movement or hearing, should not impede its ability to breathe or bark, and should not have small, dangling, or easily chewed- off pieces of decoration that the pet could choke on.
Popular Halloween plans such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic for pets, but they could produce gastrointestinal upset. And, intestinal blockage could occur if large pieces are consumed.
Decorations such as fake cobwebs can be potentially lethal to pets if ingested. They can be ingested and constrict a pet's intestines. They can also cause asphyxiation and choking.
Keep your pets behind closed doors when Trick-or-Treaters come to the door. While it may be fun for the pets to see the Trick-or-Treaters in their costumes, some pets may become frightened or agitated. It is best to keep pets a safe distance from the festivities--for their own safety.
If a pet does ingest chocolate, other candy, wrappers, or other objects which could make them ill, contact your veterinarian for advise or call the ASPCA's Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
