Dr. Maro: Safeguarding pets through Halloween and coming holiday season

Halloween can be lots of fun, but it can also be a scary time for veterinary staff and pets alike, and it’s not just because of the costumes.

Some real hazards to pet health and safety present themselves for companion animals, these include many of the abundant snacks and treats found in Trick-or-Treat and Fall harvest bags.

Being mindful of where kids (and adults) leave their treasure troves is really important. Vets and toxicology hotlines receive extra calls about chocolate toxicity, ingestion of the highly toxic ingredient, xylitol, found in candy and gum, and even candy wrappers.

Be certain all candy is stored safely, so pets cannot get into the treats and that the Halloween candy trays are kept well out of reach of pets. If there is accidental ingestion of any candy, chocolates or xylitol containing sweets, be sure to induce vomiting right away, using 1 tsp of hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds of body weight, given orally.

Then contact the ASPCA Pet Poison Control number, (888) 426-4435, for further instructions. DO NOT wait to see if symptoms of toxicity develop, as many times, organ damage will be irreversible by the time you see outward signs of a toxic reaction.

Remember to always keep the phone number of your veterinarian and the nearest emergency clinic in your phone, so when there’s a need, you can immediate access.

In addition to keeping candy safely stored, be sure to pet proof trash containers, to keep pets from getting scraps, foil and other wrappers from being ingested. Toxicity prevention is important at Halloween and throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, but it’s just as important to prevent high stress situations, including loud parties, music and other high decibel noises, intruders entering your pet’s home/territory and repeated ringing of doorbells.

Even the most chill and relaxed animals become distressed when their territory is invaded repeatedly. Because stress leads to high cortisol and fight or flight hormones, your pet’s immune system, cancer fighting chemicals and general well-being become impacted by holiday events. Most animals seem to cope well, outwardly (think about all the times your coworkers or boss didn’t know you were really stressing, but your antiperspirant was working overtime), but they likely need down-time away from the activity.

Talk with your vet about ways to help your dog or cat feel safe and calm, with people coming to the door, company coming and going changes in routine.

Some helpful tips include:

• Give Halloween candy out on your porch, reducing doorbell ringing and weirdly costumed kids from scaring pets.
• Try crating pets or keeping them in a less hectic area of your home with soothing music playing and chew toys or activity mats.
• Thunder shirts or wraps help dogs relax, giving them the feeling of being hugged.
• For really anxious dogs, seek veterinary advice for prescription drugs like trazodone or tranquilizers, which can be a huge help to getting through stress events and dealing with crowded parties.
• Calming nutraceuticals are always my first choice for pets with anxiety. I make recommendations for calming Chinese herbs, Zylkene, theanine, melatonin, CBD with CBG (some formulations and doses are better than others), and calming mushroom blends (not recreational types).

In addition to fear over strangers coming and going, pets can become frightened when they are put into costumes. If you intend to dress your pet up for one or more of the upcoming holidays, be sure to follow these guidelines:

• Get your pet used to wearing a costume by putting them in a portion of the outfit, then removing it and giving a treat or petting them. When you can take your time and acclimate pets to new items, they feel less stressed.
• Check holiday costumes for ease of movement and tight bands. You may need to make modifications for comfort.
• Wash costumes before putting them on your pet. Remove chemical and packing residues, just as you would do with new clothing for yourself.
• If your pet seems uncomfortable or is fighting you on wearing an outfit, just let them be themselves. Dogs and cats are way cuter than us anyway.

If your pet will be traveling for the holidays, or you will be boarding them, now is the time to see your vet for advice on making trips easier on pets and humans. Many pets received reduced socialization during the past two years, so they may need help getting back into your old routines.

If pets were adopted during COVID, more social and travel acclimation is going to be necessary. If you intend to board your pet, be sure to do a daycare test run for a partial day to see how your pet does without you. You may find that a pet sitter is a better fit, if your pet doesn’t eat while at daycare.

Take time to get your pet adjusted to all your plans, before the holiday season goes into full swing. Remember to ask your vet for advice regarding travel, boarding and stress reduction.

Dr. Cynthia Maro is a veterinarian at the Ellwood Animal Hospital in Ellwood City and the Chippewa Animal Hospital in Chippewa Township. She writes a biweekly column on pet care and health issues.