Halloween pet safety

Carolyn Cheney, Special to The County
3 weeks ago

We want to remind everyone that if you are looking to spend a few hours enjoying the best of what the northern Maine crafters produce, then be sure to stop by the Caribou Arts and Crafts Fair this coming weekend.  

The Central Aroostook Humane Society will have a fun booth at the event full of human and pet treats, and some other surprises as well. We will be selling tickets on our poster of lottery tickets that could win you big bucks.  Stop by and say hello, and be sure to share your favorite pet story with us.

Halloween is just around the corner, so it’s not too late to consider safety factors around this time of year for our beloved pets.  

Dogs and cats can become very anxious on Halloween night with all of the activity of trick-or-treaters at the door.  If at all possible, leave your pet in a quiet, comfortable room away from all the hubbub.  Make sure your pet has plenty of water, a few treats and toys, and leave a radio or television on. This will help keep your pet calm and safe until your doors are locked and the lights are turned off.  

Please don’t give your pets candy, especially chocolate, which can be very dangerous and even lethal. When ingested by pets, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and seizures.  

The artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs.  It can also cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Pumpkins are a hallmark of Halloween, but if pets decide to munch on them for a snack, a pumpkin can cause terrible gastric problems, so it’s best to keep them away from them.  Also, use caution if you have lit pumpkins or jack-o’-lanterns. Cats and dogs are very curious and could get burnt by the flames or even cause a fire.    

Many pets are curious about electrical cords, so we need to be careful with them.  If a pet bit into an electrical cord, it could cause a life-threatening shock.

Always, always have identification on your pet and make sure all the information is current.  Microchipping is now very popular, and it’s a wonderful way to identify your missing pet immediately.

Consider stopping by the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle if you are looking for a new furry family member. We have many wonderful and loving pets available for adoption. 

You can also check out our Facebook page for all the latest happenings. 

Please be responsible owners and spay and neuter your pets. 

Carolyn Cheney is on the Central Aroostook Humane Society board of directors.