Halloween is a favorite holiday for many families and their pets – especially when our adorable pals don’t mind donning a costume. However, Halloween treats and pets aren’t always a fun mix. In fact, poisoning and other health threats are big concerns this time of year.
To keep your night full of spooky fun and avoid a veterinary emergency, follow our tips and suggestions regarding trick-or-treat toxins.
Avoid These Tragic Treats
Before we begin, we want to emphasize that overindulging pets in non-toxic snacks like cheese or hot dogs can cause gastrointestinal flair-ups and pancreatitis. It’s best to avoid these risks altogether and stick to our healthy snack recommendations below.
When it comes to poisonous items in your kid’s trick-or-treat bounty, make sure your pet does not ingest any of these highly toxic foods:
- Chocolate
- Xylitol (an ingredient in sugar-free gum, candy, and other snacks)
- Grapes and raisins/currants
- Macadamia nuts and walnuts
- Fruit containing pits
Other common causes of pet poisoning include alcohol and anything containing caffeine, such as coffee or tea.
To be safe, stash all candy and other treats out of the reach of your four-legged friend.
Signs of a Pet Poisoning
Although there are some symptoms that are unique to specific toxins, the following signs are common in a pet poisoning emergency:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nosebleeds
- Blood in stool
- Bruising
- Disorientation
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Lethargy
If you suspect your pet has eaten something dangerous, please contact us immediately. Time is critical in these situations.
Good News About Halloween Treats and Pets!
Many pet guardians want to include their furry ghouls, witches, and ghosts in the festivities, so why not celebrate with your pet before the trick-or-treating begins?
Try rewarding him or her with some healthy Halloween snacks. Here are some of our favorites:
- Steamed green beans or baby carrots
- Peanut butter and pumpkin dog treats
- Frozen pieces of banana
- Kitty cookies
- Plain, unsalted popcorn (in moderation)
- Tuna catnip treats
- Plain, unsweetened mashed pumpkin or sweet potato
If you’re ever in doubt about delicious and safe treat options for your pet, please call our team. We also encourage you to share your favorite Halloween pet treat recipes with us.
Happy Halloween from all of us at Oak Forest Veterinary Hospital!
