How to keep pets safe from accidental poisonings this Halloween

( WETM ) — Halloween can be one of the most fun times of the year, but the spooky season poses some extra risks for our furry friends.

Just about everyone knows that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but some other common Halloween and fall items put pets at risk of getting sick or dying. Trusted Housesitters and veterinary surgeon Dr. Lily Richards shared what pet owners should avoid to prevent a visit to the emergency vet this Halloween.

Just like us, dogs like sweet foods. Sugar isn’t poisonous to cats or dogs, but according to Richards, foods high in sugar can cause cats and dogs to vomit or have diarrhea. Sugar-free treats are even more dangerous than candies with real sugar.

“Watch out, particularly for sugar-free treats containing xylitol,” said Richards. “Xylitol is very dangerous for pets, leading to sudden life-threatening changes in blood sugar and liver toxicity.”

As previously mentioned, it’s well-known that it’s dangerous for dogs to eat chocolate, but fewer people know that chocolate is also poisonous to cats. According to Richards, the compound theobromine, which is in chocolate, is toxic to cats and dogs. Eating this compound can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, coma, seizures, and death. Dark chocolate has more theobromine and caffeine, making it even more dangerous than white or milk chocolate.

It’s best to stick to treats made specifically for cats and dogs if you want your furbabies to join in on the Halloween fun. However, Richards says pets can enjoy pumpkin along with their human friends in the fall. Raw pumpkin is harder to digest than cooked pumpkin and should only be consumed in moderation. Cats have more delicate digestive tracts, so any pumpkin seeds will need to be ground up for them. If opting for canned pumpkin, which can help your cat or dog’s digestion, make sure it doesn’t have any xylitol.

Halloween and harvest decorations can pose as much of a poisoning risk to cats and dogs as sweets. Richards advises pet owners to be careful when putting fall flowers and berries around their homes. Mums (chrysanthemums) are a popular fall flower, but according to Richards, mums are toxic to cats and dogs. If ingested, these flowers can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Holly and other ornamental berries can also be toxic and cause nausea and vomiting.

Glow sticks can make trick-or-treaters safer by increasing visibility, but they can be dangerous to pets (or even humans) if ingested. Richards says the bright liquid inside of glow sticks contains various chemicals that can be toxic if ingested. Additionally, biting into a glow stick can give cats and dogs skin irritation, and swallowing a piece of or an entire stick can lead to choking.

If all of the precautions you take this Halloween don’t work and your pet manages to get their paws on something toxic, be sure to call your veterinarian’s office immediately.

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