Why Halloween is no ‘treat’ for your dog

One of the most popular holidays in the U.S. is right around the corner. No, it’s not Christmas (although that too is fast approaching)— it’s Halloween. In fact, American consumers are expected to spend $10 billion this year on the spooky holiday.

Whether or not you plan to spend or decorate or trick-or-treat on the 31st, most of us enjoy Halloween . . . but unfortunately, Halloween isn’t always so much fun for your dog.

First, there are all the yummy Halloween goodies stashed in the bowl by the front door or on the coffee table for guests. Candy may be dandy, but not for your pup. As you hopefully know, chocolate can be lethal to dogs, depending upon how dark it is and how much they ingest. Eight ounces of milk chocolate can make a 50-pound dog ill, but that same dog can be poisoned by just one ounce of dark chocolate.

Another issue with candy is that dogs seldom bother taking off the wrappers, and those crinkly covers can result intestinal obstruction if your pup consumes too many. At the same time, sweets like the ubiquitous candy corn also contain high levels of sucrose and glucose, which can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Those cute little miniboxes of raisins may seem like healthy treats, but not for your dog. Although scientists have yet to determine what makes this fruit so toxic, we know that even very small amounts of raisins or grapes can cause kidney failure in some dogs.

Apples are great snacks for Fido, but not when they’re crusted with sticky caramel or candy-coating. Even more dangerous are the seeds inside a whole apple, which contain deadly cyanide.

Other Halloween dangers include glow-sticks, which contain a chemical that glows in the dark. While the substance likely won’t kill your dog if she bites through the plastic shell, it can cause serious irritation to her mouth, skin and eyes. Eating the plastic covering can also result in a major intestinal obstruction for your dog and a major veterinary bill for you.

Fire and dogs can be an extremely dangerous combination, even when the fire is nothing more than a candle inside a carved pumpkin. The flickering flame can attract your dog, and before you know it he’s stuck his paw or nose inside and become badly burned. A much safer alternative is a battery-powered LED light or light string.

Avoid leaving your dogs in the yard on Halloween night: not only could they be terrified by the otherworldly costumes on trickor-treaters, there’s also the danger of cruel strangers tormenting or injuring them just for the “fun” of it.

Even if you keep your dog inside, the constant ringing of the doorbell and gatherings of strangelydressed, hyperactive children at the door can be disturbing and frightening for many dogs, and can even spark an unexpected escape attempt or aggression toward the visitors. The best alternative is to confine your dog to another room or crate until the pandemonium is over. Halloween isn’t the night when you want to be out searching the streets for your beloved pet.

Finally, there’s the issue of pet costumes. Your dog may not object to being dressed up to look like a walking carrot or Darth Vader, but many find it uncomfortable or even fear-provoking. If your dog doesn’t protest wearing a costume, make sure it doesn’t contain easily chewed-off objects that could be a choking hazard, and doesn’t restrict his movement, hearing, eyesight, or ability to breathe.

So feel free to enjoy the fun and goodies of Halloween, but remember to protect your dogs so they don’t become a victim of the holiday.

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.