Halloween is just around the corner! Although our foliage doesn’t change here in Tampa, we still get to enjoy lots of seasonal events and decorations. This can be a dangerous holiday for your canine buddy, so it’s important for pet parents to take some precautions to keep their furry pals safe. Here, a Tampa, FL vet lists some seasonal dangers for dogs.

Candy

Candy is a big part of the autumn holiday, but it definitely isn’t safe for your four-legged friend. Many of those sweet treats contain things like chocolate, raisins, nuts, and xylitol, which are all toxic to dogs. Hard candies are also dangerous, as are candy wrappers.

Decorations

Keep your pet in mind when decorating your house. You don’t want Fido chewing on those fake spiderwebs, or knocking a jack-o-lantern over! Place anything that could be dangerous out of paws’ reach. This includes anything that is battery-operated; items with dangling ropes or threads; electrical decorations; candles and potpourri burners; wreaths; garlands; strings of lights; cardboard, glass, and plastic decorations; and, of course, anything small or sharp.

Costumes

We know, Fido is pretty cute in costume. Man’s Best Friend has been dressed up as a dinosaur, a hot dog, and a spider, to name a few. Just keep your pet’s safety and comfort in mind when choosing his outfit. First and foremost, don’t force your dog to wear an outfit if he hates wearing clothes. Avoid anything with small parts, like buttons. Dogs sometimes try to eat these, which can be very dangerous. You’ll also want to make sure that your pup’s clothes fit well, and aren’t tight, hot, itchy, or restricting. When your furry buddy is dressed up, keep a close eye on him, and make sure he isn’t getting too hot.

Traffic

You may see an increase in traffic around Halloween. When walking your pup, keep him on a close leash. There may also be more pedestrian traffic than usual, which may aggravate some dogs. Pranksters are another concern. If Fido has a yard to play in, limit his outdoor time around the autumn holiday, and bring him in before dark. When the doorbell starts ringing, put him in a back room with bedding, toys, and treats, so he doesn’t run out or get overexcited.

Please contact us, your Tampa, FL vet clinic, for your pet’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!