Spooky season is upon us and, though it can be great fun for us humans, it does pose a number of hazards for our furry friends. From chocolatey horrors and pungent pumpkins to spooky costumes, here are a few hints & tips to avoid any ghoulish trips to the vets.

Keep sweet treats out of reach

We all know chocolate is incredibly toxic to cats and dogs, but some jelly sweets can be too! While eating chocolate can cause serious heart problems, seizures and even be fatal, jelly sweets that contain xylitol can be just as fatal if eaten, especially for dogs. Look out for:

• Vomiting
• lethargy
• Weakness & wobbliness
• Tummy ache
• Seizures
• Collapse

and call us immediately if you think your pet has eaten chocolate or xylitol.

Plan ahead for trick-or-treaters

While groups of people in fancy dress aren’t a direct threat to your pet, they could still be startled by large or noisy groups. Walk dogs before trick or treating commences, and try to keep cats inside.

Once home, keep your pet away from windows and doors and maybe consider leaving sweets for trick-or-treaters outside to avoid constant interruptions.

Be careful with pumpkins

Opt to use battery-powered candles in pumpkins to avoid any burns from real candles – but make sure you keep button batteries out of reach of your pets! Remember to throw pumpkins away before they get mouldy, as ingested mould spores can cause a nasty tummy upset if eaten!

Avoid the fancy dress

Some pets might not mind getting involved in the Halloween action by donning a costume, but generally we wouldn’t advise dressing your pet up. Costumes can make our pets feel stressed and uncomfortable, and we think they’re probably cute enough as they are.

Decorate mindfully

When decorating your house, be mindful of their placement and try to keep them out of reach of pets. If swallowed, decorations can cause serious problems such as gut blockages.

Check your pet's microchip

Now is the perfect time to make sure your pet’s microchip details are up to date! It is now a legal requirement that all dogs and cats are microchipped in England, and microchips help us reunite many pets with their owners each year. During the Halloween festivities, your pet could become frightened by noise and groups of people and make a run for it. Double-check your details now — it’s better to be safe than sorry!