Keeping Halloween Safe for the Pet You Love #DonDeForge,VMD www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com

Donald H. DeForge, VMD
Milford Veterinary Hospital-A Compassionate Care General Practice-just across the road from Dan Perkins Subaru in Milford, CT
www.MilfordVeterinaryHospitalofCT.com
Silver Sands Veterinary Urgent Care-Urgent Care for Non0Life Threatening Emergencies
www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com
NEW- Milford Mobile Vet-We come to you-affordable compassionate House Call Animal Care
Phone 203-877-3221
Fax 203-877-8301
Toll Free- 1-800-838-3368
E-Mail DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com


Keeping Halloween Safe for the Pet You Love!

From the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center:

Top Halloween Tips for Pet Owners

Share these safety tips on social media and have them at your front desk for reference by staff.

1) Lock candy safely away. Kids love to stash candy in their rooms, but a dog's keen sense of smell will lead him to even the most cleverly hidden treasure. Contact a veterinary professional right away if your pet does get into Halloween candy, especially if it contains chocolate or is sugar-free and contains xylitol.

2) Don't leave glow sticks lying around. Glow sticks are used to help keep kids safe while they are out in the dark. Pets (especially cats) find these glow sticks to be a lot of fun as well, and we commonly get calls about pets puncturing the sticks. While most of them are labeled as non-toxic, they do have an extremely bitter taste and we will often see pets who bite into them drooling and racing around the house. A little treat or sip of milk will usually stop the taste reaction.

3) Keep your pet identified and visible. There are a lot of extra people on the streets at Halloween, and that combined with strange costumes can spook pets and cause them to bolt. If you take your pet out after dark, make sure he or she wears a reflective collar and is securely leashed. And make sure your pet has proper identification on the collar.

4) Calm your pet. Even pets who are kept indoors may experience intense anxiety over the large number of strangely dressed visitors. Keeping your pet away from trick-or-treaters may do the trick, but if you think more will be needed be sure and speak with your vet well in advance about options to help calm your pet.

5) Check those costumes. Costumes can be fun for the whole family. If you are planning on dressing up your best bud, ensure that the costume fits well and isn't going to slip and tangle the pet or cause a choking hazard if chewed on. Never leave a costumed pet unattended.

Comments from Dr. DeForge:

If you take your dog Trick or Treating with you.... use a gentle leader and  two leashes-one to a collar and one to a harness.  Look into the Gentle Leader Harness.

Carry an LED Flashlight!

Adult Halloween Parties can be fun.  Make sure your pet is safe from foods containing onion or garlic.  Make sure alcoholic beverages are not left on low tables or on the floor next to a pet's reach. Keep pets away from grapes, chocolate, and any xylitol containing products.

Set up safety zone where cats can be alone and not bothered by party noise and strange voices.

Enjoy Halloween.....it is a time of fun for adults, children, and our pets.

It must be tinctured with responsibility and monitoring.