GALTx eNews: Keep Halloween All Treat, No Trick
Halloween has become one of the most popular holidays and is celebrated more widely than ever! Keep these safety tips in mind to make sure your hounds' Halloween is all treat, no tricks:
1. Staying In for Trick or Treating: One of the greatest risks for hounds on Halloween is escape through repeatedly opened doors. The best safety precaution will depend on your hound’s propensity to escape. Some hounds do well on a leash until the trick or treating stops. Other hounds are ok with a baby gate or ex pen at the front door. Shy dogs might need to be kept away from the door entirely, either confined to another room by a closed door or in a crate.
2. Going Out for Trick or Treating: The safest course is to walk your dogs before dark and to keep them indoors for the rest of the night. If you can’t resist trick or treating with your hounds, remember they will be exposed to unusual commotion and noises. Even dogs that are usually brave may become fearful. Keep an extra tight hold on the leash and cross the street to avoid startling decorations or boisterous kids. Watch traffic closely and consider reflective safety leg bands or headlamps to increase visibility.
3. Keep Pets Safe Inside: Because of the association of black with Halloween and the use of animals in some rituals, black pets are at risk for being teased, stolen, injured and even killed. Check your fence, gates, doors, and windows to ensure your pets are safely enclosed and keep them inside with you as much as possible for Halloween.
4. Check Tags and Microchip Info: Take a moment now to make sure your dogs’ identification tags are secure and current and that the contact information associated with your pet’s microchip is up to date. Click here to read more about what to do if your hound gets lost.
5. Think Twice About Costumes: Pet costumes are often more fun for humans than hounds. If your dog looks uncomfortable in a costume, he probably is. Go with a simple bandanna instead. If your pup loves to dress up, make sure the costume does not restrict movement, breathing, barking, panting, hearing, or seeing. Remove any objects that might be chewed off and become a choking hazard. Don’t use elastic or rubber bands as they can cut off circulation. Always supervise pets in costume and monitor for overheating.
6. Keep Candy Out of Reach: Dogs shouldn’t have any candy, but chocolate and candies sweetened with Xylitol are especially dangerous. Keep all of the sweets out of reach and watch young children with candy to ensure they don’t inappropriately share. If you think your pup ingested something harmful, contact your vet or call the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 888-426-4435. Remember, candy and wrappers will likely be on sidewalks and in yards for days. Take care that your pup doesn’t pick anything up to eat on walks.
7. Decorate Safely: Consider how your hound will interact with Halloween decorations in your yard and house. Keep candles well out of reach and away from spaces your greyhounds plays. Remember that eating raw pumpkins can cause stomach upset in dogs. Electric cords can be tripping and chewing hazards. Electronic screams, moans, and other Halloween noises can be frightening, especially to sensitive hounds.
We hope you have a “greyt” holiday full of fun for everyone!
10/17/24
