Your dog and the hazards of Halloween

Cooler temperatures — and pumpkins piled high in front of almost every store in town — are sure signs that autumn has arrived, and with it comes one of America’s favorite holidays: Halloween.

But what does Halloween have to do with dogs? Turns out, a surprising amount. Specifically, their health.

You may be one of those pet parents who likes to give your fourfooted companions human delights like candy and cookies. The danger comes when those sweet treats contain chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts, or the sugar substitute xylitol.

Let’s look at each one in turn.

Chocolate

As little as eight ounces of milk chocolate or one ounce of dark baker’s chocolate can put a 50-lb. dog in serious health crisis. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.

White chocolate, for instance, is far less toxic than dark; unsweetened cocoa powder is the most toxic of all. Symptoms can range from vomiting, stomach pain, and restlessness to severe agitation, tremors, irregular heartbeat, fever, and death.

Raisins (and grapes)

Think your oatmealraisin cookies would be a healthy treat for your dog? Think again. Grapes and raisins have been associated with fatal kidney failure in some dogs. Your pup may be one who can eat them with no problem at all, but could also be among those who develop life-threatening problems after eating just a few grapes or raisins.

Macadamia nuts

While most nuts aren’t harmful to dogs — and many dogs go nuts over nuts — macadamias are the exception. Macadamia nut toxicosis is seldom fatal, but it can make your pup extremely uncomfortable. Affected dogs are in obvious pain, show weakness in their rear legs, develop tremors, and can run a low grade fever for up to two days. Unlike the dire prognosis for a dog who’s eaten a bagful of Hershey’s kisses or two dozen raisin cookies, most dogs who’ve eaten macadamia nuts will gradually improve in 1-2 days.

Xylitol

Xylitol is one of the truckload of low- cal sweeteners found in dozens of foods today. The most common item containing xylitol is sugarfree gum, although it’s also used in sugar-free candies, cookies and cakes, and many dental products such as mouthwash, toothpaste, and breath mints. I doubt you’ll get toothpaste in your Halloween goodiebag, but sugar-free gum or candy could very well be on the menu.

Humans who eat too much of a food containing xylitol will probably only develop a bad case of diarrhea. In dogs, however, xylitol can lead to a critical drop in blood sugar levels, which can lead to seizures, vomiting, and in some cases fatal liver failure.

Aside from food products, Halloween can also be a scary time for your pets. Imagine yourself as a dog, and when the doorbell rings, suddenly standing before you is an entire horde of fearsome and weird-looking creatures that bear no resemblance whatsoever to humans. Depending upon your temperament, your first reaction could be anywhere between stark terror and vicious attack. Either one signals major problems for both you and your human caretaker.

Since we can’t control what kinds of costumes our Halloween trick- ortreaters may be wearing, the best idea is to put your dog in the back yard or better yet, in another room with the door closed so he won’t be exposed to the ghoulies and ghosties.

Finally, before you go to bed on Halloween night, check through your stash for that gooey brownie, the oatmealraisin-macadamia nut cookie, or the sugar-free candy, and make sure it’s all well out of reach of any counter- surfing canine.

Happy Halloween!

Joan Merriam lives in Nevada County with her Golden Retriever Joey, her Maine Coon cat Indy, and the abiding spirit of her beloved Golden Retriever Casey in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@ joanmerriam.com. And if you’re looking for a Golden, be sure to check out Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.