Halloween and its spooky atmosphere aren't without their dangers for our dogs and cats! We'll tell you how to protect your dog and cat from Halloween hazards.
Halloween: What are the origins of this holiday?
Before explaining the dangers that await your pets on Halloween night, let's recall the origins of this popular holiday.
Halloween is celebrated on October 31st, the day before All Saints' Day. It is a festival of Celtic origin, very popular in English-speaking countries. It arrived in France in the late 1990s and has since gained many followers.
Halloween is symbolized by the character "Jack-O-Lantern", from an Irish tale, which takes the form of a carved pumpkin containing a candle.
Traditionally, on Halloween night, children dressed as monsters, vampires, witches or ghosts ring doorbells asking for treats with the famous phrase “Trick or treat”.
The houses are usually adorned with decorations such as spider webs, bats, lanterns, etc.
There's a special atmosphere on Halloween night, as many people wander the streets in scary costumes . For our pets, who can't understand our love of dressing up, this atmosphere can be a source of stress and anxiety .
The dangers of Halloween for dogs and cats
Halloween night is not like any other night! And for our furry friends, Halloween night can be synonymous with danger.
The risks of poisoning
Halloween is usually synonymous with the distribution of candy and sweets ! We all know that our four-legged companions, dogs in particular, have a sweet tooth! The risk of poisoning is therefore present.
Indeed, children don't always know that sweets and chocolates aren't good for animals and therefore don't take care to keep treats out of reach of their furry friends! An accident can easily happen!
Sugar, chocolate, xylitol, and other ingredients in dog treats can have harmful effects on your dog's health. The main dangers are poisoning , pancreatitis , and intestinal obstruction .
In addition to candy, carved pumpkins are commonly found at Halloween as part of home decorations. However, pumpkins have a sweet flavor that can attract those with a sweet tooth, whether dogs or cats. Consumed in large quantities, pumpkins can cause food poisoning or intestinal blockage . Furthermore, Halloween pumpkins often contain a candle, which your furry friend could burn.
Stress
Whether your furry friend is the reactive type or the calm type, the atmosphere of Halloween night can cause them quite a bit of stress . The scary and unusual costumes , the doorbell ringing several times throughout the evening, the strangers parading across the doorstep – all of this can really make your four-legged companion anxious !
An anxious animal can be a danger to others, or even to itself. Indeed, under stress, a gentle dog can become aggressive or even bite if it feels threatened. It's also possible that your dog or cat, very stressed by this frightening environment, will run away to find safety.
Black cat: beware of danger!
You're probably aware that black cats are the subject of many myths and legends ! They're often associated with witchcraft and demons. So, if you have a dark-colored cat, letting it out on Halloween can be risky. It might encounter people with bad intentions.
Tips for protecting your pets this Halloween
As we've just seen, Halloween is a risky time for pets! Fortunately, it's possible to ensure that you and your furry friends have a great evening!
Here are some tips to follow to avoid problems:
- If you have a dog, don't forget to take it for a good walk before the festivities begin, this will allow it to be calmer and more relaxed;
- If you have a black cat, keep it inside before the evening begins. This way it will be safe and protected from unpleasant encounters;
- Keep your dog or cat in a quiet room, so that it is not exposed to comings and goings which will be a source of stress for it;
- Soothe your pet with a product made from natural ingredients such as Relax tablets or matatabi sticks, for example.
In conclusion, the idea isn't to scare you or stop you from celebrating Halloween! We simply want to warn you about potential Halloween dangers that await your dog, cat, and pets in general. This way, you can avoid them and have a happy Halloween.
