Fall: a wonderful time of year. We are getting close to the holidays, the air is cooling down, and the kids are (kind of) back in school. Families are preparing for their children’s Halloween costumes and thanksgiving preparations. And we with furry families may also be planning our pet’s costume ideas too! Who doesn’t love a pet in an adorable Halloween costume???
While of course, the cuteness is the BEST THING in the world, we also must be careful in what we dress our pets with, as things we normally use can be toxic to our fur babies.
Of course, most owners are aware of the typical toxicities like chocolate and of course eating the costumes themselves! Many candies now contain xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that is very toxic to dogs and cats. Here is a list of common “fall favorites”
ITEMS TOXIC TO YOUR PET:
- Chocolate / Candy & their wrappers!
- Gum/Mints
- Glow Sticks
- Glow Jewelry
- Grapes/Raisins
- Plastic toys
- Decorations- “spider webs”, “blood”, etc.
- Pieces of costumes
Ingestion of any of these things can cause all different types of symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, inappetence, and many other things.
HALLOWEEN DON’TS:
- Don’t cover your pet’s eyes with the costume!
- Don’t get a costume that is too tight on your pet! Make sure your pet can move and breathe easily! (Make sure they can bark or meow, or both!)
- Don’t get a costume that has metal buttons/beads that may contain lead and zinc (very toxic if eaten)!
- Don’t dye your dog’s fur without consulting your veterinarian, as some products can be harmful!
- Don’t keep lit candles near your pet!
- Don’t force your pet to wear a costume!
HALLOWEEN DO’S:
- Keep wires, candy, wrappers, etc. out of reach from your pet!
- Keep your pet on leash, especially if staying outside for trick or treaters!
- Check your pet’s costume for any small dangling pieces or anything that could be easily chewed off!
- Make sure the costume cannot get twisted/tangled so your pet does not get injured!
- Try out the costume with your pet before Halloween! (If distressed, consider a “birthday suit” costume)!
- Ensure your pet has tags on in case they slip out the front door!
And of course…..
DO bring your pet into Bluestar Pet Hospital in costume for a chance to win some
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Dr. Venkat Gutta
Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming
At Blue Star Pet Hospital and Grooming, Dr. Venkat Gutta provides high-quality and modern veterinary services to all your furry friends! At Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team are committed to providing your pets with both a full-service Veterinary Hospital and a modern grooming salon (St. Johns location only) for dogs and cats. Our primary commitment is to provide your companion animals with the highest quality medical care. Dr. Gutta strongly believes in treating your four-legged companions as family members and providing them with excellent yet affordable veterinary care. At Bluestar, we also think that it is important to educate you, as a pet owner, and ensure that the unique needs of you and your pet are met at all times. Through Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team serve clients in Durbin Crossing, Jacksonville, St Augustine, St Johns, CR 210, and other areas. Whether it is pet vaccinations, surgery, techniques, advanced diagnostic testing, or even flea and tick control products, we give you access to the best and most cutting-edge treatments and technologies. At Bluestar, we believe that your pet is the STAR!
