Halloween is just around the corner and everybody here at Austin and Kat is getting ready for a frightfully good time. Not so much Austin and the rest of our extended four-legged family.ย For pets, Halloween can really be more of a trick than a treat if weโre not careful.
We can only imagine, right? Suddenly the world is filled with strange sounds and stranger sights, and itโs all just a little much. But Halloween doesnโt have leave anyoneโs fur standing on end. Here are four simple steps we use to keep our pets safe and happy when the ghosts come out to play.
First things first and something always worth repeating: keep the candy away. Most pet people know chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, but did you know that the sweetener xylitol can be, too? Same for raisins, macadamia nuts, and salty snacks. So always stash the booty where eager noses canโt reach.
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Ditto the decorations. Pumpkins and corn arenโt poisonous, but those cobs can cause scary blockages. And moldy pumpkins lead to the kind of stomach upset thatโs a horror all by itself. (Weโve all been there!) Lit jack-o-lanterns, electric cords, and the batteries in Halloween toys are hazards, too. And though theyโre non-toxic, add glowsticks to the listโpets are always sorry when they bite into those.
Donโt leave your pups outside on Halloween. Theyโre happier indoors, hopefully well away from the doorbell in a contained space if you can manage it. Any place where the noise and confusion barely register is perfect.
Whatever you do, make sureย your pet is wearing ID and/or has a microchip. With all of the terrifying noises and unsettling commotion, Halloween is prime time for runaways as startled pets bolt for safer territory. ID will help them get back home so they can enjoy the roast turkey scraps that are coming in a few weeks!ย
Finally, if your pet reacts poorly to Halloweenโs chills no matter what you do, a little CBD might help calm anxious nerves. Thatโs the kind of Halloween treat theyโll always appreciate.