While you might be amused by your pet’s Halloween tricks, you don’t want them to get into the treats.
Kakaako Pet Clinic veterinarian Bradley Venable said he sees an uptick in pets brought in with gastrointestinal upsets starting in October and through the holidays.
One family left a bowl of candy on the kitchen counter while taking their kids trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, according to Venable. The family’s Labrador retriever knocked the bowl down and ate a lot of candy — chocolate, raisins and all — landing the pet at the vet for induced vomiting.
Petplan pet insurance found that during Halloween week, pets are 84 percent more likely to visit the vet for raisin poisoning, and 26 percent more likely to visit for chocolate poisoning.
The following Halloween safety pet tips are from the ASPCA and the American Kennel Club:
Candy
It’s easy to get distracted and set the candy bowl down within reach of pets, whose digestive systems are not adapted for sweets. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that can be extremely harmful and sometimes fatal to dogs (baking chocolate is especially high in this chemical). Sugar-free gum and candies contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can also be toxic to pets. If you think your pet has ingested something dangerous, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Decorations
Pets, including curious kittens, like to chew on wires and can easily knock over a candle-lit pumpkin and start a fire. Popular Halloween decorations such as pumpkins and decorative corn are relatively nontoxic for pets but can produce stomach discomfort if nibbled.
Costumes
The ASPCA recommends not putting your pets in a costume unless you know they enjoy it.
If you decide to dress up your pet, make sure costumes do not limit their movement, sight, hearing or ability to breathe, and supervise them at all times. It’s also a good idea to have your pet try on the costume before the big night. Avoid costumes with elastic or decorative items that could be swallowed.
Trick-or-treaters
Children in costumes can frighten dogs. Make sure your dog is in a secure room where it feels safe when you answer the door. If you want your dog to greet trick-or-treaters, always keep it on leash. Make sure pets have a microchip and are wearing a collar with an ID tag in case they get lost.
Keep your dog inside
Don’t leave your dog unattended outside on Halloween, even if it is behind a fence. Pranksters might target your pet with eggs, and people could be tempted to give your dog harmful treats and candy.
