Pets-or-Treats
Horse N Hound cares about the safety of your pets during the Halloween treat binges. While it may be fun to dress your pet in a cute costume, pets can't participate in all that Halloween offers people. The ghosts and goblins can be quite frightening to our four-legged family members. Common sense is your best friend when it comes to your pet's safety, but we offer these tricks to keep your pets out of the treats.
Keep The Treats Out of Reach
Pet parents know that chocolate in all forms - especially dark or baking chocolate - can be toxic for dogs and cats. Don't give into the temptation to share human holidays with furry family members. They may beg, but they really don't know what they're asking for! No candy! Remember, even sugar-free candies contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol which can cause serious problems in pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian immediately. After hours, reach out to the Las Cruces Emergency Animal Clinic at (575) 527-8100.
Don't Force Costumes
Sure, they're adorable dressed as a wiener or a skeleton, but not all pets take to wearing clothes. If your pet is not dressed regularly, Halloween is not the time to introduce a costume just for the trick-or-treat walk. The unusual sensation takes time to get used to, and with all the other activity, the stress may be overwhelming. If your pet does love dressing up with you, make sure the costume does not limit movement, sight, or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small, dangling pieces that could present a choking hazard if chewed off. Ill-fitting outfits can lead to injury. Sometimes, a festive bandana serves the purpose just as well.
Use Pet Friendly Decorations
Decorating for holidays is so fun that people often get caught up in the moment and forget about the safety of their pets. Halloween, in particular, is a curious time for kitties and clumsy pooches. If your pet runs through an unsuspecting patch of fake spider web, you'll be picking fibers off them for hours. You certainly don't want your pet to ingest that stuff! Carved pumpkins are festive for people, but curious pets can knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. The good news is that popular holiday produce like pumpkins and decorative corn are considered relatively nontoxic, but can produce stomach discomfort in pets who nibble on them.
Check and Update ID
The holidays bring a flurry of unusual activity. Pets can stress over the scary traditions and strange visitors. An open door for a tick-or-treater may present a prime opportunity for Fido to dart. It's more important than ever to make sure that your ID is up to date. Make sure that the tags are secure, and if your pet has a microchip, make sure that your information in the database is up to date. If you've moved or changed phone numbers, your old information is still carried in your pet. In the event of an escape and capture, the microchip doesn't do any good if the clinic cannot get a hold of you! The best bet is to keep the pets in a separate room during celebration hours.
Horse N Hound wishes you and your pets the best during the holidays!