A Halloween pet safety reminder from Affiliated Veterinary Specialists:
We all like to indulge or sneak a Halloween treat from our children’s bag of goodies, but if your pet gets hold of the sweet stuff, the result may be devastating. Your dog or cat may end up dead.
Most of us have heard that chocolate is poison to pets, and it’s nothing to bark at. Chocolate contains caffeine and another chemical compound that dogs cannot metabolize. The chemical compound is also dangerous for cats, but felines are a bit more selective about what they will eat. Dogs will eat just about anything.
“Strange behavior is usually the first sign of trouble” says veterinary surgeon Dr. Jeff Peck. If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate or any candy containing xylitol, get your pet to the vet. “The time our treatment begins is critical.”
Xylitol has become a sugar substitute in all kinds of candy. You’ll likely find it in your favorite brand of chewing gum, but it’s also popping up as an ingredient in lollipops, hard candies, taffy and caramels. If your pet eats sweets that contain xylitol, liver damage will likely occur.
