Topic of the Month

10/2009: Halloween Precautions

It is an exciting time of year, with ghosts and goblins lurking around every corner! But, as we move into the holiday season, there are real dangers out there for our four legged friends. Don't rely on your black cats' nine lives to keep it safe, follow this simple advice to protect your pets during this festive time of year.

The number one problem we see in pets at this time is chocolate ingestion. Remember, NO chocolate is safe for pets to eat! The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it can be. If ingestion occurs, call your veterinarian immediately.

Another potential problem is the ingestion of decorative items during the holidays. Small figurines can cause intestinal blockage. Decorative "grasses" or straw can cause gastric upset or blockage. The chewing of electrical cords is also very dangerous and it is important to keep these items out of reach. Also be sure that if you dress up your pet that there is plenty of slack between their fur and any costume material that goes around their neck.

Although not just a Halloween concern, as the weather turns colder, antifreeze (ethylene glycol) poisoning is a real danger. Do not let your pets into the area while changing antifreeze. Always clean up any that you may have spilled as this sticky substance is too tempting for most pets to avoid and is almost always fatal.

Remember as a rule of thumb - "puppy-proof" or "kitten-proof" your home! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call your veterinarian.

 

See All Topics of the Month