Fall is in full swing and Halloween is just around the corner. This time of year is perfect for scary movie marathons, Halloween tricks and treats, silly costumes, and eerie decorations. For pet owners, it is very important to keep our furry critters in mind during this spooktacular time of year!
While tasty for us humans, chocolaty Halloween treats can pose serious health risks for our four-legged canine and feline companions. Most people understand that chocolate ingestion in pets can be serious, but at what point does chocolate become toxic?
Toxicity levels vary depending on the weight of the animal, the type of chocolate consumed, and the amount of chocolate ingested. For milk chocolate, consumption of more than 0.5 ounces per pound of body weight can put dogs and cats at risk for toxicity. Ingestion of more than 0.13 ounces per pound of body weight of dark or semi-sweet chocolate can cause toxicity. Animals with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for toxicity than healthy, adult dogs and cats.
Signs of chocolate toxicity in pets may include vomiting, diarrhea, excitement, elevated heart rate, tremors, seizures, and collapse. If you think your pet has ingested chocolate, it is important to contact us immediately.
Another festive yet dangerous element for our pets are costumes and decorations. Although it’s adorable to dress our dogs up for Halloween as your third black cat or Abraham Lincoln Beagle: Rabbit Hunter, leaving our pets unattended while in costume can cause serious choking hazards if they start chewing at them. If you are planning on dressing your pets up this Halloween, make sure to supervise them at all times while they are presiding beagle president of the United States, I mean, in costume. Also make sure to snap a picture and send it to us for our Halloween costume contest! To avoid pets chewing on Halloween decorations, it is best to keep them out of reach, ideally by hanging.
Halloween can be a fun time for owners and pets alike. Being aware and cautious of the dangers that lurk to keep our furry companions happy and healthy are key to enjoying this holiday season. For more information on Halloween with our pets, please contact us today!
