Avoid Halloween horrors with client communication

Photo: deine_liebe/Adobe Stock

Many clients enjoy including their pets in Halloween festivities, from serving treats to dressing in costume. However, the holiday is also an opportunity for veterinary professionals to communicate with clients, providing education and reminders, about dangerous foods and items that their pets can ingest on Halloween and during the autumn season.

The Pet Poison Helpline annually sees a 12% increase of calls to the veterinarian during the week of Halloween, according to the agency. One of the most common dangers is chocolate, of which exposure accounted for more than 1100 calls to the Pet Poison Helpline in the past year. Of these calls, 98% involved dogs.¹

“Chocolate is one of the most problematic candies as dogs and cats cannot metabolize it as well as people. Thus, it places them at risk for poisoning,” Ahna Brutlag, DVM, senior director of veterinary services and senior toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, said on the agency’s website.¹

In an interview with dvm360, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior veterinary toxicologist and DVM supervisor at Pet Poison Helpline, also discussed chocolate as a pet toxin.² “If [pets] get into a large amount of [chocolate], the first thing they typically will do is vomit, a lot of them will vomit on their own. Some of them that don't may have a little bit of agitation or restlessness if they got into a large amount of chocolate,” she said.

Toxic treats

Food hazards commonly reported to the Pet Poison Helpline include overindulgence of sweets, as well as raisins, in addition to chocolate. “Each year we experience a sharp increase in calls around Halloween, especially during the weekends surrounding the holiday,” Brutlag added.¹ “Most often, these calls involve pets accidentally ingesting Halloween candy or décor.”

It is important that clients avoid feeding treats containing xylitol to their pets. Xylitol can lead to sudden, life-threatening changes in blood sugar and liver toxicity, according to Lily Richards, BVSc, MRCVS, BSc Hons, a veterinary surgeon.³ “Although sugars like honey, brown, and white sugar are generally safe for dogs and cats, foods high in sugar often cause vomiting and diarrhea in pets,” Richards said in a news release. “Watch out, particularly for sugar-free treats containing xylitol.”

Schmid further discussed some hazardous candies and ingredients that clients should be warned about.² “There's also a concern with even just sugared candies, so gummies, gummy worms, gummy bears, the [chewy candies], the Sour Patch Kids, things like that. If they get into a large amount of those, those can actually cause a fluid shift into the GI tract,” she said.

Richards provided warnings for foods such as raw pumpkin and berries.³ “Naturally rich in vitamins, minerals, and soluble fiber, pumpkin can help ease digestion,” Richards said. “Fresh pumpkin, including the seeds, can be a tasty treat in moderation, but watch out for canned products that may contain xylitol.”

Decorative items

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, New York, noted in a press release that some costume elements can be dangerous to pets. Small buttons, loose decorations and long fabrics are risky if a pet chews on them or becomes tangled. The Level 1 veterinary trauma center recommends costume designs with Velcro closures or soft ties that can be easily adjusted on an animal.⁴

Richards identified autumn flowers—particularly mums and chrysanthemums—and glow sticks, which can contain toxic chemicals and can lead to choking if part or all of the stick is swallowed, as dangerous items for pets.³ Brutlag said candy wrappers also pose a risk.¹

Takeaway

The experts suggested that even if pets are not being fed dangerous foods, they may be able to still access them. Therefore, it’s important that clients keep dangerous foods and items out of the reach of their pets. Halloween parties require extra vigilance. “It's not uncommon for the family pet to get into something when a guest has left their drink on the coffee table or somewhere where the animal can get to it,” said Schmid.⁵

References

1. Halloween dangers to dogs and cats. Pet Poison Helpline. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/seasons/halloween/
2. McCafferty C, Burke J. Keeping pets safe from toxins this Howl-O-weekend. dvm360. October 28, 2022. Accessed October 31, 2024.https://www.dvm360.com/view/keeping-pets-safe-from-toxins-this-howl-o-weekend
3. Halloween horrors: what you vet wants you to know about pet safety. News release. Trusted Housesitters. October 29, 2024. [email]
4. Dressing up pets for Halloween: Safety tips from NYC’s Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. News release. Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. October 2, 2024. [email]
5. Burke J. Halloween pet safety tips: keep the “spooky” in spooky season just for humans. dvm360. October 28, 2024. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/halloween-pet-safety-tips-keep-the-spooky-in-spooky-season-just-for-humans