Across the spooky season, our Furry friends don’t always enjoy a scare, many are left lost, sick and even hurt. To avoid our companions from being haunted by the season and left generally terrified by the whole experience, follow these top tips to keep your pets from going barking mad:
1- Prevent your animals from helping themselves to Halloween treats- Chocolate, sweets and ingredients like nuts, raisins, and the artificial sweetener xylitol can be toxic to dogs and cats. Make sure you keep Halloween treats well away from prying paws. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. If any of these symptoms occur you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
2- Take your dogs on a walk earlier in the day- Avoid taking your pets on walks late at night when they can easily become frightened by scary costumes, loud noises and sudden movements. The added stress and unfamiliar surroundings can cause your animal to run away and become panicked. Make sure you keep your animal on a lead and close by, putting them at ease and rewarding positive behaviour. It is also worth checking your dog is microchipped, in situations where they can run off or escape.
3- Make sure your pets are not left home alone- Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety, so avoid leaving them alone on Halloween night if you think it will affect them. Many Pets are sensitive to loud noises and used to their routines, frequent trick-or-treaters can spook animals and leave them distressed. Create an environment where your pet can access a safe place, in case they become overwhelmed by their surroundings.
4- Don’t force your pets to wear spooky costumes- Don’t attempt to dress your pets in a costume if they seem spooked. While not all costumes are dangerous, some can restrict their movement, hearing or eyesight and even cause them to become distressed and uncomfortable.
Featured image (c) Grace Scargill
