Paws for Wellness A happy and healthy pet starts with a plan!

Halloween Safety and Your Pet

black catTrick or treat! Halloween is almost upon us and goblins and witches will be going door to door chanting that age-old expression. Children running through neighborhoods, squeals of laughter, doorbells ringing, candies and chocolate, and costumes. Halloween is such a fun and exciting night for everyone in the family….right? Sure it’s fun for children and their parents, but what about for your furry friends?

All of these sights and sounds can be overwhelming and down-right scary for cats and dogs. Some tips to keep your pets safe and happy during Halloween festivities are outlined below.

  • No candy! Do not share any candy with your pets. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, causing vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures; while candies sweetened with xylitol can cause liver failure. Shiny, crinkly candy wrappers can be appealing to cats and dogs – if wrappers are ingested, they can cause intestinal upset or even a life-threatening blockage. Curious dogs may try to get into the Halloween loot, so be sure to keep it well out of reach.
  • Leave your pet at home. As tempting as it is to bring the whole family, it’s best to leave your pet at home as you trick or treat through the neighborhood. The extra people walking about, and all those strange costumes can cause your pet to become agitated.
  • Secure you pet in a safe place. A frightened dog or cat may escape through an open door when it’s answered to give out candy. And let’s face it, the door gets opened a lot on Halloween! Dogs may become territorial when strangers come to the door. Keep pets in a separate area of your home if possible.
  • Halloween decorations. While decorations help to set the festive mood, they can be tempting for curious pets. Carved pumpkins are non-toxic, but consuming raw pumpkin can cause gastrointestinal upset. Colorful corncobs and gourds are attractive, but can cause stomach upset and obstructions in the intestinal tract. Use battery powered candles in carved pumpkins to prevent fires if a pet accidentally topples a pumpkin.
  • Pet costumes. Pet costumes are fun for a few minutes of photo opportunities on Instagram or Facebook, but be sure the costume you have chosen is safe for your pet. Be sure it fits properly be sure your pet can see, hear, and breathe properly. Do not leave your pets alone or out of sight when dressed in a costume.

Go ahead and celebrate Halloween, but spend a few minutes to make sure that you pet is safe and happy during the celebrations! Trick or treat!

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    Dr. Laura Neuhaus (Raiff)

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    Dr. Laura Neuhaus is a graduate of the University of Missouri - College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, she completed an emergency and specialty medicine internship at VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center in San Diego. She enjoys ophthalmology and has a special interest in avian medicine. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, and spending time outdoors. She is the proud parent of a cat and 2 parrotlets.
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    Dr. Mitchell Meyerhoeffer

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    A Virginia native, Dr. Mitchell Meyerhoeffer (Dr. M is fine!) started his career in the veterinary field in high school at Chesterfield Technical Center's veterinary science program. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University while working as a veterinary assistant in a specialty and emergency hospital. Dr. M then completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training at Virginia Tech, enjoying the hiking and outdoor scenery in Blacksburg when he could ...
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    Beth

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    Beth joined the GAH staff in April 2010. Originally from Maryland, she now lives in the Gloucester area. She has been working as a Licensed Veterinary Technician since graduating from Blue Ridge Community College in 1989. Away from work, she enjoys reading and working her dogs in obedience and agility classes. She has two dogs, three cats, four ferrets and three reptiles.
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    I'm Aidan, and I'm not your typical groomer. I'm a passionate animal lover with a heart full of love for our furry friends. Every day, I get the incredible opportunity to work my magic as a groomer at the renowned Grafton Animal Hospital. I can't express just how much I adore what I do. It's not just a job; it's a calling. I find immense joy in transforming your beloved pets into the best versions of themselves. Whether it's a shaggy dog that needs a fresh haircut, a cat in need of a spa day, or ...
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    Lucy

    Staff Meeting Coordinator

    Lucy joined the Grafton Animal Hospital reception team as the new Noisemaker bird in September 2016. After losing our long-time mascot, Croaker, earlier that year, we learned of a young Quaker parrot available for adoption at the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter and decided she might be a good fit for the clinic. Lucy quickly made herself at home and before long, she was showing the staff who was really in charge. She is generally pretty friendly, so you will often see the staff holding her. ...
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    Daisy & Duke

    Staff Meeting Coordinators

    Daisy and Duke joined the GAH team in June of 2009. They were stray kittens that needed a home, and Squeaks was in need of a brother or sister. After some convincing, we were able to keep both. If you haven’t seen our kittens roaming the clinic, it’s because they are still learning their way around. For now, they are great morale boosters that keep us entertained during our staff meetings.
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