The spookiest holiday of the year is just a few weeks away. Just like you and your tail-wagging friend, our veterinarians in Gaithersburg are excited about this night of candy, jack-o-lanterns, and all around ghostly merriment. You’re ready to pull your dog’s costume from last year out of your storage closest and fill those pumpkin-shaped bowls with candy, but hold up — there are a few basic safety pointers you should know before we reach the 31st.
Check Up On Your Pet’s Health With Goshen Animal Clinic
Whether you need a pet dentist to check up on your dog or cat’s teeth before (or rather, after) they consume bountiful amounts of pet-safe Halloween treats or you’re just looking for a reliable pet clinic who can oversee your pet’s health, look no further than us. We’re here to serve the greater Gaithersburg community and we’re not going anywhere else anytime soon.
Feel free to read more about our services here. Otherwise, here are a number of simple tips to keep your pet safe throughout the month of October.
Make Sure Their Costume Fits Comfortably
Some cats and dogs automatically resist any type of costume whereas others simply don’t care what you dress them with. While getting your pet’s “consent” for a Halloween costume is a good start, make sure that their costume isn’t restrictive, can’t be easily chewed off, and doesn’t interfere with their breathing, vision, hearing, or overall movement.
Additionally, make sure to let your pet get accustomed to their costume prior to Halloween and make sure to supervise them when they’re wearing it.
No Human Candy, No Exceptions
We don’t care how much your dog is begging for that Twix bar. Things like chocolate and xylitol are poison for a dog’s stomach and under no circumstances should they be eating candy or treats that aren’t designed for their own kind.
If you have little trick-or-treaters this year, be a responsible parent and make sure that you’re supervising them and their bags of candy when you’ve returned home from the big haul. The last thing you want on Halloween is to make an emergency stop at Goshen Animal Clinic to get your dog’s stomach pumped. Moreso, you should know that the American Association of Poison Control Centers is a 24/7 resource and you can reach them by dialing (800)-222-1222.
Wary of Strangers? Keep Them Away From the Door
If you live in a neighborhood where there are a lot of families and, thus, trick-or-treaters, your home is going to experience more traffic and stops at the door in one night than you probably will for the entire year combined. While some dogs do quite well with the doorbell ringing and calmly greeting strangers dressed up in random costumes, that might be another dog’s idea of hell.
From your average dog’s perspective, Halloween night equates to a lot of stimulation and it’s important to keep them in a calm environment. In most cases, that’s simply another room in the house. We recommend turning on some music or the television to drown out some of the noise coming from the front door.
Keep Open Flames Away From Your Pet
This safety tip goes without saying and it applies to any time of the year where you happen to be lighting a candle (most likely the holidays). It’s not uncommon to put lit candles in window sills and other areas of the home around Halloween for a bit of a spooky effect, so make sure that your curious dog or cat stays away from these particular areas.
When walking your dog up until Halloween night, make sure to keep them on a leash and restrain them from making any advances at a neighbor’s lit jack-o-lantern.
Keep Your Dog (and Cat) Inside
Any other night of the year, for the most part, is a fine time of year to have your cat or dog roam the yard. However, on Halloween night, with all of the foot traffic and excitement abound, it’s best to keep them indoors so that you don’t have to worry about anything bad happening to them or an unsuspecting trick-or-treater.
Our Gaithersburg Veterinarians Wish You a Happy Halloween!
Feel free to visit our local animal hospital for a check-up or learn more about our current promotions.
