With Halloween and Bonfire Night just around the corner, experts are concerned about the effect that extravagant fireworks displays and the deluge of trick-or-treaters at the door will have on our pets.
Melanie Sainsbury, Veterinary Education Manager at Natures Menu has compiled some top tips for UK pet-owners to ensure your furry friends remain stress-free and safe during the celebrations.
Keep your sweet treats to yourself – but bring some doggy treats!
Halloween is known for its sweet treats, but a lot of the sugary snacks we consume can be toxic to our pets.
It might be stating the obvious to some, but chocolate is incredibly poisonous to our four-legged friends. In dogs, symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst, panting and restlessness, in severe cases, it can result in muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure.
Sugar free sweets can also pose a risk. They man contain an artificial sweetener called Xylitol, which can be more poisonous than chocolate. Symptoms your pet may show include vomiting, loss of coordination and seizures, and in severe cases – liver failure.
Needless to say, keep these out of reach! If you suspect they may have ingested something toxic, call your vet immediately for advice.
To ensure your pet doesn’t feel left out – make sure to bring some doggy treats along with you when trick or treating!
Keep your dog on a lead at all times
As tempting as it might be to allow your pup to roam free when trick or treating – it’s recommended to keep your dog on a lead just in case they make a lunge for any unattended chocolate.
Ensure your dog is comfortable with spooky costumes
Remember – children will be very excitable at this time of year, but so will your dog. It’s important to ensure your dog feels comfortable with the costumes before deciding to take them out on a trick-or-treat experience.
Treat your pet as you normally would
If they are showing signs of distress, comfort your pet with gentle strokes – or even some massage techniques – to help them relax as much as possible. Gentle exercises, grooming (providing your pet is used to this already) or simply just a tummy rub can often help alleviate their anxiety.
Shut all curtains and blinds and give your pet a suitable treat as a distraction
Loud bangs from fireworks can scare your pet, causing them stress. Help reduce the noise and ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible by closing your windows and curtains, putting on some music or your TV, and providing a place for them to hide.
You can also preoccupy your pet with a tasty treat. The repetitive chewing motion releases serotonin – a chemical also known as the ‘feel-good’ endorphin – which can help to promote relaxation. A tasty chew, or a Kong toy stuffed with some delicious treats, can also help to keep your dog distracted from the sudden changes during this time of year.
Your local veterinary practice can offer help and advice on calming aids – remember to approach them far in advance of the celebrations as many calming aids should be used or administered in advance of the night itself.
Safety in the garden
If you, or neighbours, are having a bonfire or firework display at home, make sure that you thoroughly clean the area afterwards. Sticks or debris in the garden could cause your pet injuries such as wood splinters stuck in their gums and could even pierce vital organs.
Following bonfires, always check the ash bed left behind is completely cool before letting your pet near it as the heat may still be present enough to burn paws, even long after the fire was put out.
Melanie adds: “Halloween and Bonfire Night are typically a stressful time for animals due to loud noises, flashing lights and mischievous behaviour so its important owners are prepared and safeguard their animals in the best way.
“If you do want to take your dog on a trick-or-treat adventure, make sure they feel happy and confident around strangers in costumes and potentially seeing ghosts and ghouls in the dark. If you’re concerned they might not feel comfortable, leave them at home with a nice tasty stuffed Kong toy to keep them entertained.
“We hope our tips can provide some advice for your furry friends and give owners all the tools they need to tackle the potential challenges that autumn brings.”
