Halloween. Halloween is some people’s favorite holiday. Many don’t celebrate Halloween for a variety of reasons. But if you do celebrate Halloween, there are some things that you need to be aware of that are potentially dangerous for your Chihuahua. Here are some great Halloween safety tips
Halloween Costumes
Dressing up your Chihuahua for Halloween or any occasion can be tons of fun or a complete Halloween safety disaster and traumatizing for your dog. Putting costumes or clothes on a dog is controversial. Some believe it is flat out cruel.
I think that dressing up your Chihuahua is fun, but only if your dog is comfortable and enjoys it too. If you have never dressed yours up or if your Chi is uncomfortable with wearing clothes it will take some planning before Halloween if you want them to wear a costume this year.
Is It Wrong To Put Clothes On Your Chihuahua?
Is it wrong to put clothes on your dog? Well, this is certainly a controversial question! If you asked a hundred people if putting clothes on dogs is wrong you would get a lot of different answers. Some people are adamantly against it and even think that it is cruel. What is the expert answer?
To do this it will take conditioning training. You can learn how to do this by reading our post; How To Help Your Chihuahua Overcome His Fears. Basically, conditioning training involves getting your Chi used to wearing his Halloween costume a little at a time in a positive way.
Don’t force the costume on and don’t force him to wear it if he is not completely calm, relaxed, and comfortable while wearing it.
Supervise At All Times
Never leave you Chihuahua alone while wearing clothes or a Halloween costume. A plethora of things can happen. Dogs like to chew and he may chew off loose pieces of fabric and dangling small objects that would result in digestive upset or even an obstruction. Possibly ruining your furniture or carpets. If an obstruction happens that will require surgery taking a chunk out of your bank account.
What About Halloween Masks?
My advice? Just don’t do it. Nothing will stress your dog more than obstructing their vision and/or their ability to breathe! They are at greater risk of injury from stepping in a hole or falling off curbs, etc, resulting in possible broken bones and again, taking a chunk out of your bank account.
What About Dyes?
If you insist on doing this, please make absolutely sure that it is pet safe! They aren’t for every dog either. Some may cause skin irritations or an allergic reaction. Some may be toxic if your dog licks it off (every dog is going to try). Be sure you do plenty of research beforehand and test it out on your dog before you do the full treatment.
Most Dangerous Halloween Candies
Chocolate
Halloween safety most certainly involves candy! Most everyone knows that chocolate is toxic to dogs. But do you know the type of chocolate and the amount will determine whether it requires an emergency trip to the vet?
The darker the chocolate that the Halloween candy is, the greater the toxicity. This is because the concentration of theobromine, a caffeine-like compound found in chocolate, is higher the darker the chocolate is (the more cocoa the chocolate contains).
For dogs with heart or seizure conditions are at even greater risk. The amount of chocolate per your dog’s weight is also a factor. See the chocolate toxicity calculator below.
If you haven’t already, be sure to teach your Chi to “leave it”. It could literally save his or her life!
Xylitol
Any Halloween candy with Xylitol. This includes gum and sugar-free candy. Xylitol is a sweetener. It is safe for humans but highly toxic to dogs. It can cause life-threatening low blood sugar (especially Chihuahuas) and liver failure. Symptoms of Xylitol poisoning include lethargy, vomiting, seizures, and collapsing. If you suspect your dog has consumed anything with Xylitol see your veterinarian immediately.
Raisins
Raisins (and grapes) contain a toxin that can cause renal failure in dogs. The number of raisins or grapes that a dog may consume that will cause this reaction is unknown. Since it is unknown, see your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog has eaten either in any amount.
Hard Candy
Dogs can’t resist the sweet taste of candy. Hard candy can be swallowed whole and may get stuck in the windpipe, not only a choking hazard but can cut off the ability to breathe, becoming an emergency. They can break up into jagged pieces and can cause major problems. The stick of a lollypop can get stuck the throat or in the intestines.
High Fat Candy
The amount of oil and fat in some candy and/or nuts can cause pancreatitis. The more severe symptoms may not show up for days after consuming. Watch for abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and decrease appetite. If you see any of these signs see your veterinarian immediately.
Wrapped Candy
A dog wouldn’t stop to unwrap a piece of candy even if he could. If your dog should consume a lot of candy wrappers they can cause an obstruction in the intestines and can cause vomiting and can even prevent elimination that could even result in a bowel perforation.
Other Halloween Safety Precautions
Decorations. When thinking about Halloween safety, it’s very important that you be conscious of the decorations that you use from your dog’s perspective. If you need to get on the floor and look around from his perspective. What do you see? If there are any decorations within his reach, put them up higher.
Cords and plugins. Dogs explore their world with their mouths. They may completely ignore the plugins and cords that have been there all along, but if they see a new plug or cord that wasn’t there before, they will be curious and want to check it out.
Candles and flames. My advice? Ditch the real candles! Curious dogs can easily bump into a candle or the furniture it is sitting on and that could result in a serious burn. That’s not to mention the environmental hazard. The paraffin in real candles when burned can release toxins into the environment and can exacerbate respiratory conditions, like asthma. Breathing in the fumes is just not a good idea for both you and your dog. Use soy, smokeless, or battery-operated ones instead.
Stress and door dashing. Whether you are home on Halloween or not, the constant door knocking doorbell ringing and parade of strangers at your door will be very stressful for him. Keeping him in a crate, a backroom or his “safe” place will both reduce stress for him and prevent him from dashing out the door.
While in his “safe” place keep him occupied with plenty of toys, and interactive food feeders and puzzles.