Halloween Candy is Not a Treat

BEWARE… It’s time for spooky tales, dressing up and lots and lots of candy! Kids are getting excited and making plans for this eerie tradition of Trick-or-Treat.  Candy is the whole point of trick-or-treating, but it won’t be as delightful for your dog as it is for humans.

For pets, Halloween is actually more serious than being dressed as baby Yoda. Halloween candy is everywhere and the damage it can inflict on a furry member can be deadly.  According to the Pet Poison Helpline, calls from concerned pet owners increased 12% during Halloween. That’s because of all the opportunities to access bowls of candies, bags from trick-or-treating, and the occasional bite-size treat that gets dropped on the floor.

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the four most common food-related hazards for pets are:

• Chocolate is a toxic food for pets. If you think your pet ingested chocolate, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, increased thirst, and, in severe cases, seizures.
• Candy contains high amounts of sugar and fat and can cause severe issues.
  • Many sugar-free candies may contain a sugar substitute such as Xylitol, which is toxic and deadly to dogs, even in small amounts.
• Raisins can be trouble as well. Small amounts can cause kidney failure.
• Glow sticks and jewelry – Pets, especially cats, love to chew on these. Pet Poison Helpline reports nearly 80 calls were concerned about punctured glow sticks or jewelry and 70% involved cats.

Keep in mind, if a pet doesn’t eat any candy, they may still be at risk from ingesting wrappers, sticks, etc. During the Halloween season, help keep your pet safe. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, contact us or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.

Sources:
Halloween dangers to dogs & cats. Pet Poison Helpline. [Internet]. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/seasons/halloween.  22 Sept 2021.

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