Halloween is a fun night for families, but it brings a long list of hazards for pets. Candy bowls sit within reach, decorations dangle at eye level, and the doorbell rings all evening. At West End Veterinary, we see more pet emergencies around the holidays, and many are preventable. Here’s what to watch for this year, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs and cats can’t process the way people do. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous because they contain the highest concentrations. Milk chocolate is less potent but can still cause problems, especially in small dogs. Signs of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, a racing heart, tremors, and, in severe cases, seizures. Dogs are the most common culprits, but cats can be affected too.
Sugar-Free Candy and Gum (Xylitol)
Xylitol, sometimes listed as birch sugar, is a sweetener found in many sugar-free gums, mints, and candies. In dogs, it can cause a rapid, dangerous drop in blood sugar and can lead to liver failure. Signs include vomiting, weakness, stumbling, collapse, and seizures, and they can appear quickly. Even a small amount can be serious, so any xylitol ingestion should be treated as an emergency.
Raisins and Grapes
Raisins show up in snack boxes, trail mixes, and chocolate-covered candies. In dogs, grapes and raisins can cause kidney injury, and no safe amount is known. If your dog eats any, call us right away. Dr. Mason says, “Both chocolate and raisin toxicity can be very animal-specific. A dose that one animal tolerates can cause severe illness in another, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution.”
Wrappers and Lollipop Sticks
Dogs that raid a candy bag often eat the wrappers too. Foil, plastic wrappers, and lollipop sticks can cause choking or intestinal blockage. Watch for vomiting, a reduced appetite, straining, or a painful belly in the days after a candy raid.
Glow Sticks and Glow Jewelry
Cats especially love chewing on glow sticks. The liquid inside tastes very bitter, so a pet that punctures one may drool heavily, foam at the mouth, or act agitated. These products are usually low-toxicity, and the reaction often passes once the taste is gone. A small treat can help clear their mouth. If your pet got the liquid on their coat, check them in a dark room for anything glowing and wipe it off with a damp cloth so they don’t lick it later.
Candles and Jack-o’-Lanterns
A lit pumpkin at nose level makes it easy for a curious pet to get burned or knock over a flame. Flameless candles are a safer choice anywhere pets can reach. Carved pumpkins that start to mold can also upset your pet’s stomach if they eat them, so toss them once they begin to break down.
Decorations and Cords
Fake cobwebs, string, tinsel, and ribbon are tempting toys for cats. If swallowed, these long, thin materials can cause a serious intestinal blockage that often requires surgery. Keep electrical cords for lighted decorations tucked away or covered so pets can’t chew them.
Costumes
Some pets tolerate costumes well. Many don’t. If you dress up your pet, make sure the costume doesn’t restrict movement, vision, hearing, or breathing, and remove any small pieces that could be chewed off and swallowed. Never leave a pet unattended in a costume. If your pet seems stressed, skip it. A festive bandana is plenty.
Trick-or-Treaters and Open Doors
A constant stream of masked strangers can frighten even a calm pet, and every open door is a chance to escape. Consider keeping your pet in a quiet room with a familiar bed and some background noise during trick-or-treating hours. Make sure your pet wears a collar with current ID, and confirm their microchip registration has your up-to-date contact information. If your pet already has a high level of anxiety, make sure that you have plenty of their anxiety medication on hand to get them through the evening!
What to Do If Your Pet Gets Into Something
Act quickly, even if your pet seems fine. Some toxins take hours to cause symptoms, and early treatment makes a real difference. Don’t try to make your pet vomit at home unless a veterinarian tells you to.
During our hours, call West End Veterinary at (804) 360-0111. We’re open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
After hours, contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
For poison guidance, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, when our clinic is closed. Take a minute now to find the nearest emergency hospital and save its number in your phone, along with the poison control line. And don’t forget to call us ahead of time if you need refills on anxiety medications for your pet!
With a little planning, Halloween can be all treat and no trick for everyone in your family.