Boo! Halloween pet hazards to avoid

The following tips will help keep your pet(s) safe in the days leading up to and following the spookiest night of the year.

Candy & Wrappers

Keep holiday treats, including candy, chocolate and wrappers, out of reach. Chocolate, especially unsweetened, dark, bittersweet and baking chocolate, can be toxic to pets, especially dogs. If your dog does get a hold of chocolate, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center as immediate treatment may be needed. Symptoms of toxicity include excitement, nervousness, trembling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst or urination, muscle spasms and seizures.

Xylitol.

Extremely toxic to dogs, even a small amount of xylitol — the sweetener used in sugar-less gums, candies and breath mints — causes a surge of insulin, which can cause blood sugar to drop quickly and dangerously. Cases of liver damage have been associated with ingestion of xylitol. Symptoms to watch for include depression, loss of coordination and vomiting. Signs of illness may occur as within minutes or days later. If you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately. Xylitol is sometimes listed among product ingredients as “birch sugar.”

When trick-or-treaters are out, keep pets in

The activity and stream of visitors (not to mention frequent knocks or doorbell chimes) can cause your pet to become overexcited, confused, frightened or simply stressed. Keep pets in a safe part of the house and watch for open doors. Make sure your pets have ID tags and/ or microchips in case they do get out. Young trick-ortreaters may be frightened by a dog approaching them at the door. Keep outdoor pets, especially black cats, indoors on Halloween.

Beware decorations

Halloween decorations such as fake cobwebs and glow sticks should be kept out of reach. While not usually life-threatening, ingestion of glow sticks can cause mouth pain and irritation, as well as profuse drooling and foaming at the mouth. Light strands, loose wires and electric cords can be a serious hazard, especially for puppies, who tend to chew . . . everything. Never leave candles, such as those in jack-olanterns, unattended. Never allow your pets to eat a leftover jack-olantern, as a rotted, moldy pumpkin can make them seriously ill.

Costumes May Not Be a Treat

If you choose to put your pet in costume, make sure it fits well and doesn’t hinder movement, vision or breathing. Check for loose pieces that could be ingested or get tangled around the neck or legs.

Resources

ASPCA’s Poison Control Hotline (1-888-426-4435, fee)

Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661)

— Excerpted from the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association