26/10/2025
🎃 Keep Your Pet Safe This Halloween! 🐾
Hello everyone! As vets, we want to help you keep your pets safe and sound as the spooky season descends. Halloween is fun for us, but it brings a few unexpected dangers for our furry friends.
1. The Deadly Treat Drawer 🍫🍬
Please keep all human treats completely out of paw's reach. This is our number one concern!
Chocolate is Toxic: Even small amounts can cause serious illness in dogs.
Xylitol Warning: This sugar substitute (often found in sugar-free sweets and gum) is extremely poisonous to dogs and can be fatal.
Wrappers: Discarded foil and plastic wrappers are a major choking and gut obstruction risk.
Vet Advice: If your pet eats any human sweets or chocolate, call us immediately—do not wait for symptoms!
2. A Quiet Retreat from the Door 🔔
The constant doorbell ringing, flashing lights, and strangers in costumes can be very stressful for dogs and cats.
Create a Safe Room: Set up a quiet, secure room away from the front door. Close the curtains and provide a cosy den (like a covered crate) with their favourite toys and a long-lasting chew.
Keep Cats In: We strongly recommend keeping all cats indoors after dark on Halloween night and during the surrounding firework period to prevent them from becoming scared and escaping.
3. Hazards Around the House 🕯️
Decorations and outfits need a little thought for pet safety.
Fire Risk: Use battery-operated lights in pumpkins instead of real candles, which can easily be knocked over by a tail.
Choking: Keep small, plastic, and stringy decorations (like fake cobwebs) out of reach, as they are a tempting chew risk.
Costumes: Avoid dressing up your pet if they show any sign of stress. Their comfort comes first!
4. Fireworks Fright 💥
Remember, Halloween often kicks off the fireworks season.
Walk Early: Take dogs out before dusk to avoid unexpected bangs.
Muffle Noise: Use the TV or radio (try soothing classical music!) to help mask the sound.
From all of us at Medivet Alloa, we wish you a happy and safe Halloween!
Urgent Contact: If you are worried about your pet, please call us immediately on 01259721576.