The Schaumburg-based veterinary group talks Halloween tips for pet owners

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Like the Fourth of July, Halloween can be a spooky time for pets. From poisonous treats to dangerous decorations to restrictive costumes, it’s important to know how to keep your pet safe this time of year.

The American Veterinary Medical Association, based in Schaumburg, recently released tips for protecting your beloved pet. The organization represents 105,000 U.S. veterinarians. Here are the tips you should follow:

sweets

Halloween means lots of candy in the house. While it might be a little difficult to turn down the begging looks you get as you unwrap another mini candy bar, it’s best not to give your pets any of these Halloween treats, especially if they contain chocolate or xylitol (a common Sugar substitute found in sugar). -free candies and chewing gum). These can be dangerous or even fatal for your pets.

costumes

Our pets may look very cute dressed up for Halloween, but costumes can cause problems if you’re not careful. Make sure they fit properly and do not impede vision, hearing, breathing, opening the mouth, or movement, and that they do not contain parts that can be easily chewed or cause choking. If your pet is uncomfortable in the costume, too constricted, or just feels bad, don’t force it on them.

Decorations

Halloween decorations can be a fun way to create a festive atmosphere for the holiday, but beware of decorations that can be dangerous to pets. This can include objects that curious pets knock over or chew, which can cause a blockage in the stomach, which can be life-threatening or require surgery. It’s best to keep lit candles, jack-o’-lanterns, glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark ornaments, and other decorations out of the reach of pets as they can cause burns or even fires in the home.

trick or treating

Knocking noises, ringing doorbells, strangers in costumes calling “trick or treat,” coupled with the frequent opening and closing of the door can stress your pets and provide them with opportunities to escape. Use caution when opening the door to ensure pets cannot escape and ensure they have proper identification (collar and microchip) in case they do escape. Also, give your pet a quiet, safe place to hide inside and away from activity. They should have the opportunity to observe what’s going on (maybe they want to people watch from the window), but they should also have the opportunity to stay away from noise and activity.

For more tips on keeping your pets safe this Halloween, visit AVMA’s Halloween Pet Safety page.