Despite all the fun, we can’t let down our guard when it comes to our pets’ health. Halloween candy can pose a serious health risk to cats and dogs alike. Dr. David Lee, of Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center says, “If your pet gets into your Halloween candy, contact your veterinarian immediately.”

In most cases, accidental ingestion of candy causes an upset stomach and perhaps bouts of diarrhea. But there are a number of other things to keep in mind.

• Chocolate can be toxic if eaten by your pet. Depending on the amount consumed, your veterinarian may need to induce vomiting with activated charcoal, hospitalize and observe your pet while offering supportive care. Dark chocolate is MORE toxic than equal amounts of milk chocolate.
• Some types of candy, especially suckers and lollipops can be quite dangerous. Your dog may eat the stick (or handle) of the sucker, causing a foreign body obstruction. In these cases, x-rays are in order, with a possibility for surgery to remove the stick.

Chocolate contains caffeine, so your dog may be displaying the same symptoms you might expect of a person who has consumed too much caffeine. They may act jittery, have tremors, or even begin to have seizure activity. If you see any of these warning signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Doctors and Staff at Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center wish you and your pets a safe and Happy Halloween!

Our pets crave structure and routine. Anytime we can anticipate a change from our normal routine, we should take into consideration the impact this will have on our pets. Are you ready for Halloween this year?

• Dogs can especially become frightened by strangers in costume. It is always a good idea to condition your pet to different types of clothing, so they can become accustomed to a variety of different types of clothing. At Bark Tutor School for Dogs, the instructors frequently play “dress-up”, donning an assortment of uniforms, costumes, hats and jackets. This helps socialize dogs to be less fearful of strangers.
• Be prepared to kennel or crate your dog at least 30 minutes before trick-or-treat begins. The doorbell is going to ring constantly for about two hours, and the safest place for your dog is somewhere familiar and comfortable, away from the front door, which will be open almost constantly that evening.
• The same is a good idea for your cat. Set them up in a spare bedroom with access to their litter box, food and water. This will prevent any accidental escapes out the front door.
• Once your children are home for the evening and sorting out the goodies they’ve collected, their candy is a source of danger to your dog. Chocolate, if ingested in a large enough quantity is extremely toxic. Make sure your dog cannot reach your child’s Halloween candy. If your dog finds and eats candy, always contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Costumes are fun, and pet costumes have become very popular. If your dog or cat are tolerant to being “dressed-up”, take some photos and post them to our Facebook Fan page! When dressing your pet up, it’s important to remember to supervise them at all times. If left alone, pets in costume have been known to chew up their costumes, or become entangled in them while trying to remove them.

We hope everyone has a fun, but safe Halloween this year. A little planning and precaution will go a long way in keeping your pet out of harm’s way, as well as keeping your peace of mind intact. Happy Halloween!