During the week of Halloween, calls to the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline® increase . “Each year we experience a sharp increase in calls around Halloween,” said Dr. Renee Schmid, Director of Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline®. “Most often, these calls involve pets accidentally ingesting Halloween candy or décor. Chocolate is one of the most problematic candies as dogs and cats cannot metabolize it as well as people. Thus, it places them at risk for poisoning.”
The four most common food-related Halloween hazards for pets are chocolate, candy overindulgence, raisins and candy wrappers.
Of all candy, chocolate is one of the most toxic to pets. Chocolate is consistently the #1 call to Pet Poison Helpline® each year and the majority of these calls involve dogs. Many dogs are inherently attracted to the smell and taste of chocolate, making it a significant threat. In general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more poisonous it is. The chemicals in chocolate that are dangerous to pets, methylxanthines, include theobromine and caffeine and are more heavily concentrated in the darker varieties. To avoid issues, always keep Halloween candy well out of the reach of pets. Symptoms from chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, agitation, increased thirst, an elevated heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures.
Pets are indiscriminate when it comes to eating tasty treats and can gorge themselves on snacks and food meant for humans. Large ingestions of sugary, high-fat candy can lead to pancreatitis in pets. Potentially fatal, pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and very painful. It may not show up for two to four days after the pet ingests the candy. Symptoms include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and potentially.
Some people prefer to distribute healthy snacks instead of candy on Halloween, such as small boxes of raisins. These are extremely poisonous to dogs! Very small amounts of raisins (and grapes) can cause kidney failure in dogs and, potentially, cats. When it comes to your pets, raisins deserve the same pet-proofing treatment as chocolate – stored in secure containers far from their reach.. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain.
Candy Wrappers
Generally, when pets eat candy, they don’t bother to remove the wrappers. Ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers can cause a life-threatening bowel obstruction, which can require surgical intervention to correct. Watch for vomiting, decreased appetite, not defecating, straining to defecate, or lethargy. Radiographs (X-rays) or other imaging may be necessary to diagnose this problem.
Pets, especially cats, love to chew on these items. Pet Poison Helpline® receives many calls concerning pets chewing on glow sticks or glow jewelry, and most of those calls involved cats. While not usually life-threatening, their contents can cause pain and irritation in the mouth, as well as profuse drooling and foaming at the mouth.
Costumes
Pets look cute dressed in costumes, but they might not enjoy it as much as their owners. If you dress your pet in a costume, be sure it doesn’t impair his vision, movement or air intake. If the costume contains metallic beads, snaps or other small pieces, be aware that if ingested, some metals (especially zinc and lead) can result in serious poisoning. Also, don’t be tempted to dye or apply coloring to your pet’s fur. Even if the dye is labeled non-toxic to humans, it could still be harmful to pets.
Candles
Keep candles out of the reach of curious noses and wagging tails. Sometimes pets don’t realize something is hot until they get burned.
During this Halloween season, help keep your pet safe. If you think your pet has ingested something poisonous, the toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline® recommend you seek help sooner than later. It’s always easier, less expensive, and safer for your pet to be treated earlier, versus when they are showing severe symptoms. Contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline® immediately at 855-764-7661.
