Louisiana Pets and Halloween: Toxic Treats You Must Avoid

(99.9 KTDY) - It's tempting to think that if you give your pet just a little bite of some candy or treat from Halloween, they will be okay, but veterinarians say one little bite can lead to plenty of big trouble.

Why Halloween Candy Can Be Dangerous for Pets

When thinking about your dog or cat, it's also imperative, veterinarians say, to make sure you have removed treats, candy, and food out of the reach of any fur baby. One encounter with a lollipop can prove severely injurious to your pet and can cost your bank account dearly.

Safe Halloween Practices for Dogs and Cats

Halloween is a magical time for everyone, including our pets. But with Halloween festivities come changes to our fur babies' routine. Veterinarians say that because of changes in your pet's routine, you should make sure they wear their collar or harness. You should also make sure it is securely fastened.

Costume Safety Tips for Your Pet

Have a plan to ensure your pet doesn't escape when you open the door for trick-or-treaters. If you are going to put your pet in a costume, make sure it fits well and doesn't trip them up.

Keeping Pets Confined During Trick-or-Treating

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, some owners choose to keep their pets confined to another room during Halloween activities to make it easier on them and less stressful.

In addition to not giving your sweet fur friend any of the following, don't forget to tell anyone with you or visiting not to provide them with candy. You can also have their regular treats on hand during Halloween so that they can share in the fun with their own type of food.

Vegetables Your Pet Can Enjoy Safely

No treats? No problem. According to Pet MD, there are plenty of vegetables pets can eat, including the following:

• Celery
• Green Beans
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Brocolli
• Zucchini
• Bell Peppers
• Cauliflower
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Spinach
• Mushrooms

The following Halloween Candies are Hazardous or Fatal to Pets:

Candy Corn and Other High-Risk Treats

Candy Corn may look like it would be an innocent treat you could give to your dog or cat, but it's mostly sugar, which is not suitable for your furry friend.

According to pet insurance company Trupanion,

From high levels of sugar and food coloring chemicals to corn syrup and calorie-heavy marshmallow, these popular Halloween treats should never be offered to pets or left out in the open.

The last thing you want to do on a Halloween night is to deal with a sick pet that has to be taken to the emergency clinic of a pet hospital.

Lollipops and Hard Candy Hazards

Lollipops are very dangerous for pets due to the risk of choking. Your pet can easily gobble up a piece of a lollipop faster than you can get to them to take it away.

According to Pet MD, a lollipop can block your pet's windpipe. Even if your pet can swallow the candy, it could still lead to an intestinal blockage.

Hard Candy Can't Be Given to a Pet

According to the experts, it's not a good idea to give any hard candy to a pet. It can do exactly the same thing to your pet as a lollipop, meaning it can block their windpipe or get stuck in their intestinal tract.

Chocolate Dangers for Pets

Chocolate can be poisonous to cats and dogs. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, chocolate, regardless of type, can be toxic even in small doses.

Our pets can get restless, start panting, get diarrhea, and throw up; those are just a few of the things that can happen when you let your dog or cat have chocolate. You'll need to take your pet to emergency care immediately.

Xylitol: Sugar-Free Candy Risk (Xylitol)

Plenty of candy, sugar-free candy, and other foods contain Xylitol these days. It gives food a sweet taste without added sugar. Web MD points out that Xylitol can cause diarrhea and gas in humans, and you need to take your pet to an emergency clinic if they eat this, as it can be extremely harmful.

The Food and Drug Administration points out that the substance is toxic to dogs and should be avoided. And according to the FDA, many foods contain it, and we may not even think about it; peanut butter is a great example.

Many people give a little peanut butter as a treat, but lower-calorie products can contain Xylitol. The following is a list of everyday food items that contain the sweetener:

• breath mints
• baked goods
• cough syrup
• children’s and adult chewable vitamins
• mouthwash
• toothpaste
• some peanut and nut butters
• over-the-counter medicines
• dietary supplements
• sugar-free desserts, including "skinny" ice cream