Scarier Than Ghosts, Goblins & Ghouls!
It’s that frightful time of the year, when ghosts, goblins and ghouls appear!
Some people love to be scared out of their minds; just do a Google search of “scary movies”, and you’ll see a list classic films designed to make sure you never stay in a haunted house, pick up a hitchhiker or make friends with a doll named Chucky!
I was raised by a mom who made sure I saw danger in everything! So I learned the risks of taking rides from strangers, to inspect my bag of Halloween candy for razor blades, and not to stay out after dark because that’s when the bogeyman will get you!
Now that I’m an adult, I’m starting to recognize how Mom’s advice rubbed off on me in ways that reveal danger for many of my clients’ pets, in places where others do not necessarily see.
The following is a short list of things that truly horrify me:
Wire crates- The danger may not be too obvious, but dogs, in their attempt to escape, can break their teeth on the bars, get their heads stuck in the space between the door and side panel as they push against the door, and dogs can move the crate flooring, often getting their paws stuck between the floor bars.
Collars-There can be dire consequences if the metal tags get caught on the dog’s crate bars and strangle the dog. Collars also pose a risk during play with other dogs, when one of the playmates could get the collar tags or his paw hooked. As the dogs panic, strangulation can occur and or a severe bite to anyone trying to untangle the panic-stricken pups!
Leashes- Just like collars during play, leashes too can intertwine, causing dogs to panic.
Toys-Many toys can become choking hazards or cause of intestinal blockage if they are too small for the dog, if there are plastic parts that can be chewed, and or if there’s stuffing that the dog can ingest!
Tennis balls- Did you know that if chewed, the tooth enamel can wear down? But the real sinister thing about tennis balls is that they can get lodged in the dog’s throat, blocking off his airway!
Rock salt-This is used to melt ice in cold climates, but it leaves chemical burns on dogs’ paws as well as GI upset from the dog licking his burning paws.
Xylitol-This is a sugar substitute that can cause liver failure, low blood sugar, seizures and death. Why this is particularly insidious, is because it is showing up in some over the counter medications, peanut butter and other products that have previously been safe for dogs.
Grapes, onions, and chocolate…oh my-The ASPCA has a list of human food that should be off limits for dogs, as well as a list of plants and other items that can be fatal for our canine friends.
Dog unattended-Of all the things that could accidentally happen to our dogs, having them stolen is so preventable, and yet I see dogs left in cars, tied up outside a store, or even left unattended in the yard!
Yes, there are a lot of frightening things, other than ghosts, goblins and ghouls, so look around your home for things that could poison or injure your dog, and whatever you do do NOT leave your dog unattended because the bogeyman might get him!
Happy Halloween!
© Fran Berry CPDT-KA, UW-AAB all rights reserved 2021
