Donegal Daily’s Pet Column is brought to you by veterinary nurse Michelle Kelly in association with Gary’s Pet World, Letterkenny Retail Park.
For all your pet food, health, accessories and toy needs, call instore or visit www.petworld.ie. Free shipping on orders over €29
Keeping pets safe on Halloween
Halloween is an exciting time for everyone but animals can suffer during the season. There are some things to consider in order to keep your pets safe, but it is also important to keep wild animals safe during this time.
It is important to have your dogs and cats microchipped (it’s a legal requirement) and wearing an identification tag on their collar so that if they escape they can be reunited. Keep pets that are afraid of fireworks securely indoors.
Halloween Costumes
Some pets might find dressing up in costumes stressful so it is important to consider putting a festive bandana on them instead. If your pet does tolerate clothes make sure it fits properly. It is important not to leave them unsupervised in case they decide to chew it up.
People dressed up in costumes may frighten them and there is also the risk of them chewing up different parts of the costume which can cause stomach issues.
Sweets
Chocolates and sweets contain harmful ingredients such as xylitol, raisins and palm oil which make pets very sick so keep them away. Opt for pet friendly treats if you want to include them in the festivities.
Decorations
Candles should be kept in secure places where they can’t be knocked over. Other decorations can cause digestive issues if they are chewed up and swallowed leading to pets needing surgery. If your pet does ingest something that they shouldn’t have you should contact your vet immediately.
Outdoor decorations can cause issues for wildlife and outdoor pets. Birds and bats can get tangled and injured in the fake webs so maybe consider only hanging these indoors.
Trick or Treating
If you are considering taking pets out trick or treating, make sure they are on a lead and if they are afraid of fireworks and sparklers consider leaving them safely at home.
If pets are afraid of visitors or have a tendency to bite keep them securely in a separate room in case they escape while people are at the door. Be mindful of people who are afraid of animals while inviting trick or treaters to your house too.
Fireworks
Fireworks can terrify animals so keeping them in a secure area where they cannot escape is ideal, especially when it starts to get dark.
Take dogs out for walks early in the day and keep them on a lead so that if fireworks are set off during the day they are secure and cannot run away.
Desensitizing pets to the sound of fireworks from a young age is a good idea as it prevents them from becoming afraid of them as they get older. Slightly older pets can be trained to tolerate the sound of fireworks by playing similar sounds in a controlled environment and rewarding them for being calm and reinforcing positive association with the sounds.
Provide shelter for any outdoor animals and ensure their enclosures are secure so that they do not hurt themselves if they try to run from noise.
Report any animal cruelty
Unfortunately straying animals can sometimes end up in the wrong hands and fall victim to cruel pranks this time of year. If you witness anything which can harm an animal please contact your local Garda Station and also report it to the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Hepline on 1890 515 515.
For all your pet food, supplements and treats, visit www.petworld.ie or call into Gary’s Pet World Letterkenny.
Michelle Kelly qualified with a BSc Honours in Veterinary Nursing from LYIT. She works full-time in a clinic in Derry. She is the proud owner of a labrador named Nala, who goes everywhere with her, even to work.
As a dog owner in the North West, Michelle says she sees a lot of misunderstanding around owning a pet. With her first hand experience in a veterinary practice, she wants to give up-to-date facts and information to pet owners and to be a person people can turn to for help and advice, especially in the local area of Donegal.
