| RELATED INFO |
| * School of Veterinary Medicine |
September 26, 2007
Purdue veterinarian: Costumes OK, but keep pets safe at Halloween
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
"Costumes on pets are becoming increasingly popular, but people need to use common sense," Corriveau says. "I like to dress up my own dog Josie, and she has fun, too. But costumes can be dangerous if they restrict normal movements or breathing. Don't secure outfits with rubber bands that may constrict uncomfortably."
Costumes on people may frighten many pets and cause them to behave strangely, Corriveau says. Protect both children and pets by keeping your pet secluded in a quiet, safe area during trick-or-treat time.
Corriveau says other potential hazards related to Halloween celebrations for dogs and cats are:
* Halloween candy - Dogs (and some cats) will help themselves to candy if left within reach. Chewy candy and gums can potentially choke pets or cause intestinal obstructions. Foil wraps and popsicle or lollipop sticks also can also become lodged in pets' throats or digestive tracts.
* Cocoa - Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats. It takes only 8 ounces of milk chocolate (and only 1.5 ounces of unsweetened chocolate) to cause toxicity in a 10-pound dog. For cats, the toxic doses are even lower. If your pet consumes chocolate, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
* Fire - Candles in jack-o'-lanterns and other decorative displays may attract curious pets and cause burns or may be knocked over by curious cats or wagging tails and create a fire hazard.
* Decorations - Decorations, especially those that are stringy (such as fake cobwebs), can cause life-threatening digestive conditions if swallowed.
* People - Keep outdoor cats inside on the days surrounding Halloween, especially if they are black or dark colored. Over the years, there have been reports of cats, especially black cats, being injured or tortured around Halloween. If your outdoor cat is difficult or impossible to keep indoors, consider boarding the pet during the holiday.
* Trick-or-treating - Taking the dog along trick-or-treating can be problematic because of costumes and the unusual noise level, which can frighten even the most social of dogs and result in unexpected behaviors. It's best to leave pets at home, but if they come along, make sure they wear a reflective tag and are more visible at night.
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Source: Lorraine Corriveau, (765) 494-7789, corrivea@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
Lorraine Corriveau, wellness veterinarian at Purdue's Small Animal Hospital, helps her dog Josie get ready for Halloween with a princess costume. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
A publication-quality photograph is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2007/halloween-petcostumes.jpg
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