Winston the pup is ready for Howl-o-ween.
Halloween is fast approaching, and whilst it's a time of spooky fun and creative festivity for us humans, it can be a stressful time for our furry friends. Unfamiliar people, crazy costumes and tempting treats can all have an impact on the safety and wellbeing of our much-loved companions.
"It's important to be aware that our pets don't always understand what's happening like we do," says RSPCA NSW Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Liz Arnott. "We understand that costumes and strangers at the door on Halloween isn't generally cause for concern, but for your pet, this situation can be new and intimidating."
During peak trick-or-treating hours, Dr. Arnott suggests keeping your pet in a separate, quiet room with their favourite toys and bedding. Aside from minimising stress, this can help prevent any unexpected escapes with the front door opening more frequently. If you haven't updated your pets microchip details and ID tag in a while, now is a great time to do so.
Halloween also brings with it the traditional styles of celebrating, such as festive decorations and treats. It's a good idea to be mindful of the foods and decorations that are coming into your home and how you can ensure that they don't become a danger to your pet.
"Chocolate and lollies are delicious treats for us, but not for our pets. They contain toxic ingredients such as Theobromine and Xylitol, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and even seizures," says Dr. Arnott.
"We want to make sure that human treats, as well as any decorations, are kept well out of reach of our curious companions, so that there's no chance of them being eaten or accidentally swallowed. If you do suspect that your pet might have eaten something they shouldn't have, it's best to contact your local vet as soon as possible," urges Dr. Arnott.
Oliver is getting festive for his favourite holiday.
It's also important to note that whilst your pet may generally be quite friendly, they may not be used to seeing people dressed up for Halloween. When trick-or-treating or having guests over, it's recommended that you give them some time and space to adjust, even if they're familiar with the area or have met your guests before.
It's no secret that us humans love dressing up for the occasion, and this often extends to dressing up our furry companions, too.
It's crucial to remember that costumes can feel strange and uncomfortable to our pets and can also impair an animal's ability to communicate with their owners and with other animals.
"Our pets communicate through body language, which involves using their ears, eyes, tails and body position to communicate what they are feeling," explains Dr. Arnott.
"If they are uncomfortable in fancy dress and you can't read your pet's behaviour due to a costume, they could be feeling anxious, and you may miss important signals. Animals don't naturally want to wear clothes, so a safe alternative might be to wear a festively decorated bandanna instead."
