Halloween can be stressful enough for pets with little costumed-critters parading up to your front door. (Check out my segment on WRAL on how to ease pet anxiety on Halloween). It can also be extremely dangerous if your pet gets into the Halloween candy.
As a kid, I remember dumping out all of my sugary loot on the floor to categorize and count what Halloween treats I collected. If your kids like to do the same, just make sure your cat or dog can’t get their paws on the candy. Also, make sure they can’t access wherever you choose to store your Halloween candy.
The most dangerous Halloween candy for pets and signs to look for if they get into the candy bucket.
- Chocolate: Chocolate is a well-known pet poison. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and even seizures. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous, followed by milk chocolate according to the FDA.
- Xylitol: Xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly found in sugar-free candies, gum, and some baked goods. It can cause a rapid release of insulin in your pet’s body, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and even liver failure. The FDA warns xylitol poisoning can start in just 20 minutes. This is a helpful poster with warning signs of xylitol poisoning in pets.
- Raisins and Grapes: Although not candy per se, these Halloween staples can be extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of raisins and grapes can lead to kidney failure.
- Hard Candy and Lollipops: Hard candies and lollipops pose a choking hazard for pets. If they get their paws on these sweets, they might swallow them whole or choke on the stick. These candies can also cause intestinal blockages, which require immediate medical attention.
- Candy wrappers: Chances are your pet isn’t going to try to unwrap a yummy-smelling treat before ingesting it. Candy wrappers can cause blockages in the intestines or stomach upset.
Consider buying a few special treats for your pets to enjoy from a trusted source or local pet store. This way they can safely join in the Halloween fun. If you think your pet has ingested one of these five dangerous candies, call your veterinarian immediately.
Easing Anxiety in Pets on Halloween
It’s always great to be back home on WRAL, where I was a news reporter and anchor for five years. This fall, I was able to share some simple ways to keep your pets from escaping the house and ways to keep children more visible during Trick-or-Treating (spoiler alert > baby gates and glow sticks). Check out the full interview and article: https://lnkd.in/g4PArTTg