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Trick or Treat might seem like a howling good time to you. But to your pet it may bring doggie drool ( stress ) and a lot of it. Your dog can safely be a part of this fun filled night with minimum stress if you properly take the precautions to ensure your pets safety along with that all the tiny trolls that will be wandering about. You wouldn't want your dog to be "goblin" up any of the gremlins, so be sure to follow these simple steps as this night approaches :
1. If your dog is unsocial or fearful of people or new situation, crate your pet. this will make them feel more secure, reduce their stress and anxiety and eliminate any possible fear or stress bite to you or another person.
2. If you don't want to crate your pet and would rather have them stay at your side keep them on leash, under control and behind you. Show that that you have full control of the situation.
An unconfident leader will create a nervous dog, forcing them to take control of the situations themselves feeling threatened and growling to lunge or bite. Should your dog growl, do not pacify them with " it's Ok baby. .. as you are actually communicating to the dog that you are nervous and afraid yourself. enhancing their fears. Simply act as if everything is normal.
3. Though a lot of people thinks it's cute to dress up their pets for the holidays, please note that the costumes annoy the animals, pose safety and health hazards and restrict their natural body movements. Rubber bands that hold the costumes in place can cut off the animals circulation and cut into the animals skin, and also restrict their joint movements, sight, hearing and respitory systems. They also pose choking hazards with many small and dangling accessories that can be chewed and swallowed. Please think twice before dressing up your pet. Remember it's not a human.
4. Please do not leave your pet outside alone in the yard. Unfortunately there are some vicious pranksters who will tease, injure or steal your pet on this night. Protect your pack member
5. Chocolate is deadly to pets. Even the smallest amount can be fatal. So make sure that the candy bowls are out of your pets reach. Remember that they can jump chocolate in all forms, esp. dark or baking chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyper activity , increased thirst, urination and heart rate and even seizures.
6. Make sure the wrappers are properly disposed of. these tin foil or plastic wrappers can become lodges in your pets digestive system and create serious injury or death.
7. Candies containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of Xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures.
In case of significant low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur.
8. In the even that your pet is dressed as david Copperfield and makes a great escape, make sure they are wearing proper id tags, tattooed or micro chipped.
You wouldn't want your pet to turn into the wandering Where-Wolf.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween.
This article was published on 10/26/208 on page 2 of the Sunday Sentinel
