Halloween is right around the corner, which means parties, scary costumes, and buckets full of candy. While you’re chowing down on Halloween chocolate, follow some basic pet health tips to keep your furry friends from getting sick. Hilton Veterinary Hospital in Monroe County, New York, provides some helpful information about the harmful combination of pets and chocolate.

Why Pets Can’t Have Chocolate

Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine, which is a substance that isn’t harmful to humans but is toxic to some animals. Dogs, in particular, are susceptible to theobromine because they don’t have the enzyme needed to process it. When ingested by your dog or cat, the chocolate overstimulates your pet’s system, leading to painful symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, abdominal cramps, and possibly death.

How To Keep Your Pet Safe This Halloween

• Keep Candy Out Of Reach: After a full night trick-or-treating, don’t set your bag of goodies on the coffee table or floor. Keep all candy—and especially any chocolate—on high countertops or shelves where it is inaccessible to pets.
• Stay Watchful Around Children: Because children often don’t know or understand the harmful effects of chocolate on animals, they might try sharing their Halloween treats with the dog. Supervise them while they eat candy, and keep them away from any pets.
• Call Pet Hospital If Chocolate Is Ingested: If you know your pet did get ahold of chocolate, call a local veterinary hospital immediately. Don’t wait to see if your pet gets better on their own, especially if you’re not sure how much chocolate they ate. Give the pet hospital any information on what was eaten, how large your pet is, your pet’s breed, and other useful facts. Their vets will tell you if you need to come in for a pet health exam or immediate pet surgery.

Keep your pets safe this Halloween. For any pet health issues, from surgery to routine exams, contact Hilton Veterinary Hospital. To learn more about this Hilton, NY, pet hospital, visit the website, or call (585) 392-2937 to schedule an appointment for your dog or cat.