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Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

Pets and Halloween

Sep 30, 2022 09:31AM ● By Dave Korba
Halloween can be a fun, scary and dangerous time for our pets. Candy is not healthy for our pets nor us. Artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, is toxic to animals, specifically dogs and cats. Chocolate is also toxic.

 

Some pets enjoy the socializing and excitement of having visitors or going outside in the weather, but being overheated or too cold can be equally detrimental. Make sure any pet costumes are comfortable. Some people also look to hurt animals, especially black cats, on Halloween. Dangerous rituals do exist.

 

At home, the constant noise of the doorbells and excitable children can be scary for most furry friends, especially birds, cats and small dogs. Some are even scared at the sight of someone wearing a hat. The safest policy is to keep pets safe at home in a back room with white noise and sit outside for the trick-or-treaters to reduce the chaos.

 

Another solution is to attend a safe Halloween celebration at the location of a friend or community gathering. Halloween can be fun and safe in a controlled environment away from our furry and feather friends. Please be mindful of what is best for them.

 

Linda T. Stern, DVM, MS, CVA, is the owner of Healing Creatures Animal Hospital, located at 3300 Hartzdale Dr., Ste. 108, in Camp Hill. For more information, call 717-730-3755 or visit HealingCreatures.com.