With Integrative Veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne
Since most pet owners consider their pet to be part of the family, it’s not surprising that we all want to include them in their Halloween festivities! Few things are cuter than Fluffy in a witch’s hat, but how can we keep our pets safe during this fun holiday? Before celebrating with Fido, it’s important to remember that candy, decorations, costumes, and anxiety caused by visitors can all cause problems for your best friend.Many pet owners struggle to keep their pets calm when trick-or-treaters or guests come to the door, but Dr. Carol has holistic pet remedies for that as well!
Pet Safety Tips for a Safe Happy Halloween
- Keep candy (and the empty wrappers) out of reach. All chocolate is dangerous for dogs and cats, and wrappers can be a choking hazard.
- Beware of pumpkins! While non-toxic to pets, they can cause digestive issues and blockages if they become a chew toy.
- Choose pet-friendly decorations and secure them to protect your pet–wires can shock pets if they’re chewed through. Keep candles and potpourri oils out of paw’s reach.
- Costumes are cute and fun, but make sure your pet enjoys wearing them and can move freely.
- Pet safety during trick-or-treating:
- Pets should be safely confined inside your home during peak trick-or-treat hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful.
- When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, be sure that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside. A leash and collar for dogs and a harness for cats help to ensure your 4-footed friends’ safety.
- Proper ID’s, please! If for any reason your pet gets lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip increase the chances that he or she will be returned safely to you.
- Consider holistic options for pets that may become fearful or stressed by the festivities: cotton balls in your pet’s ears help diminish loud noises and a few drops of Bach’s Rescue Remedy added to your pet’s food or water bowl help to safely calm the nerves and relieve stress.
*Bonus Happy Halloween Tip
Black cats can be a target for Halloween pranksters. Keep them safely confined indoors and be aware that many shelters will not allow adoptions of black cats over this holiday.
Dr. Carol Osborne is an author and world-renowned integrative veterinarian of twenty-plus years. After graduating from the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carol completed a prestigious internship at the Columbus Zoo. Shortly afterward, she launched a very successful private practice and became the founder and director of the non-profit organization, the American Pet Institute. Dr. Carol offers traditional veterinary care for dogs and cats with a softer, natural touch. Her approach highlights the importance of nutrition and utilizing holistic avenues in combination with traditional treatments. Currently, she offers holistic therapies and traditional veterinary medical care for dogs and cats at the Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.