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It's all fun and games until canine Yoda eats a box of Goobers
Check out these tools veterinarians can use to warn clients about Halloween-related pet dangers.
Your client's dog could be the next great pet meme to hit the Internet this Halloween-I mean, who doesn't love a pug dressed as Yoda?
However, clients should know that Halloween is not every pet's favorite holiday. Let's get real: A pet's favorite holiday is any observance where no one comes to the door, dresses up-dresses them up-or shoots off fireworks.
According to Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), this is what we know about the complicated relationship between pets and Halloween:
> During the Halloween season, emergency calls to the Pet Poison Helpline increase 12 percent, making October the busiest time of the year.
> Halloween is the second-most-common holiday for pets to wander off (the Fourth of July is the first) and become separated from their families.
> Pet owners love dressing up their pets-they spend more than $370 million annually.
> Halloween-related illness and injury cost more than a Yoda costume. The top claims by VPI policyholders include ingestion of costume parts, raisins, chocolate and xylitol, plus upset stomach and diarrhea.
As Halloween nears, veterinarians can talk to clients about how to best handle pet anxiety and the importance of up-to-date ID tags and microchipping. Clients should also be made aware of the hazards of pet costumes, including possible constriction, choking or strangulation, inciting panic or even allergic reactions related to a costume. It's also a good time to remind clients of toxicity dangers from common candies and treats.
In addition to the above resources and handouts from dvm360.com, here's a handout on Halloween facts and dangers from VPI.
