Halloween is here and with it comes some possible dangers to our furry friends. Below are some items that we don’t want our pets to eat or get into.

·         Chocolate

o   We know that chocolate is bad for dogs but it’s also bad for cats.

o   For some reason dogs are inherently attracted to the smell and taste of chocolate

o   In general, the darker and more the chocolate, the more poisonous it is

o   Make sure to keep it out of the reach of pets

 

·         Candy

o   Sugary, high-fat candy can lead to pancreatitis in pets

o   Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and can be very painful

o   It may not show up for two to four days after ingestion

o   Symptoms include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and potentially kidney failure or organ damage

 

·         Grapes and raisins

o   Grapes and raisins are very toxic to dogs and cats and can potentially cause kidney failure

o   Research has yet to find out why or what it is that causes this toxicity

o   Keep out of reach of pets

o   Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, and severe kidney failure

 

·         Candy wrappers

o   Ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers can cause a life-threatening bowel obstruction which could require surgery to remove it

o   Watch for vomiting, decreased appetite, not defecating, straining to defecate, or lethargy

 

·         Glow sticks and glow jewelry

o   While not usually life-threatening, their contents can cause pain and irritation in the mouth, as well as profuse drooling and foaming at the mouth

   

·         Costumes

o   If you dress your pet in a costume make sure not to impede his vision, movement or breathing

o   If the costume contains beads or other small parts make sure your pet doesn’t ingest them since some metals, like zinc and lead, can result in serious poisoning

o   Don’t dye or color your pet’s fur. While it may be non-toxic to humans that doesn’t mean it’s safe for dogs and cats.

 

·         Candles

o   Curious noses don’t realize its hot until it’s too late and get burned

o   Wagging tails can knock over a candle and catch things, including themselves, on fire

 

·         Pet Poison Control

o   If you think your pet has ingested any of these, contact your veterinarian or pet poison control at 1-855-764-7661