What's Toxic about Trick or Treat Night | Pet Safety on Halloween

Did you know that many of the favorite items in our homes right now are dangerous to your pets? It's the most delicious time of the year perhaps, for kids and adults, but there are a multitude of toxic treats which can cause illness or even death. Talk to the kids about keeping their Halloween treats safely out of reach of all pets this coming holiday. Designate an area where their loot must be stashed to avoid an accidental overdose of goodies and make sure everyone in the family or guests understand that sweets are not treats for animals.

Here are a few of the items which may turn up in your child's loot bag that are toxic to animals:

• Chocolate 
• Raisins 
• Chewing Gum or sugar-free candies containing Xylitol 
• Cellophane bags and wrappers 
• Tinfoil and party favors

Raisins are sometimes given out as Halloween goodies but in either dried form or as grapes they can make dogs ill and cause internal organ failure resulting in death. NOTE: one of my dogs got into a box of raisin bran some time ago and ate about 1-2 cups. I couldn't tell how many raisins were in there so I called poison control and they said since they were shrunken/dehydrated that they could be more potent and to give peroxide right away. These kinds of things are no joke!

If you think your pet has ingested something toxic, call your emergency veterinarian immediately. Knowing where the after-hours ER clinic is located is a good idea for all pet parents. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are not close to a facility but realize your pet has ingested something potentially dangerous, you can reach out to emergency facilities by phone. While these are NOT intended to replace a vet visit, they can offer immediate guidance if you know what was swallowed. Be prepared to pay a consultation fee which could range from $45 to $75 - however when minutes count, these are people who may be able to give you advice to save your pet's life.

Talk to your children about ensuring a "safe Halloween for the whole family", and encourage them to participate. This helps to create responsibility and an understanding about caring for their beloved pets.

• Set rules about where candy may be stored and consumed. 
• Establish an area where goodies dumped out and then put in containers which are safely out of reach. 
• Remember that a tall, curious dog can open kitchen cabinets or a cat may knock over a plastic pumpkin from the top of the fridge. 
• For more suggestions on keeping your pet safe this holiday, check out "Halloween Pet Safety | Important Tips for Dogs and Cats". 

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