For pets , Halloweenis a sentence to bark at decorations , be scolded for trying to eat pumpkin , and suffer the indignity that go along with being forced into a costume .
There ’s really one other import to the season , and it ’s significantly more serious than getting dress as an Ewok . Halloween candy is everywhere , and it can really do some damage to furry members of the household .
Accordingto the Pet Poison Helpline , ring from concerned favorite owners increase 12 percent during the week of Halloween . That ’s because there are a number of chance fordogsandcatsto get into potentially toxic sources of food — roll full of candies , bags from trick or treating , and the occasional bite - sized treat that gets drop on the floor .
One of the worst offenders is cocoa , which is basically a elementary ingredient in Halloween candy and stop theobromine , achemicalthat andiron and cats ca n’t tolerate . The darker the chocolate , themoretheobromine it contains . One square of baking chocolate could be as toxic as 23 hot chocolate drops .
While a pet ’s reaction can deviate depending on how much they consume—20 mg of theobromine per pound of bodyweight is going to be a job — you’ll likely see puking , diarrhea , panting , hungriness , and possibly even seizures .
Even if the candy contains little to no chocolate , darling will still have a problem . Sugar and blubber can run to pancreatitis , the symptoms of which ( puking , diarrhea , rock-bottom appetency ) may not grow for a few days . Sugar - free might even be worse , as xylitol , a common sugar reserve , is toxic to pawl even in lowly quantity .
box of raisin or grapes can be bother , too . Even a small amount of either can have kidney bankruptcy .
If you mistrust your favorite has ingested something harmful , it ’s respectable to contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at ( 855 ) 764 - 7661 . But the good coming is prevention . Bags or roll of candy should always be out of reach from pets ; kids should be taught never to share their treats ; giving them rich exercise , especially around Halloween , might also help prevent them from getting too curious .
