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Halloween Safety Tips for Veterinary Clinics

Posted by Jessica Beaudry | Wed, Oct 11, 2017 @ 10:12 AM

veterinary clinics halloweenLittle ones in costume ringing the doorbell, loud eerie music, animatronics on the front lawn, and a large bowl of assorted candy set near the front door — a common scene for U.S. households on October 31.

Among the frightful human festivities lurk numerous health hazards for companion animals. Veterinary clinics can help ensure pawed patient wellness by discussing Halloween safety with clients during the weeks leading up to the event and posting the same information on the clinic website. Below, the CrossCheck editorial team presents a list of top tips to keep Fido’s Halloween fright-free.

A Quiet Night In

veterinary clinics halloweenAll Hallows’ Eve generates a flurry of activity. Whether clients are passing out candy or hosting a party, guests in costumes and masks can scare animals. Clients should secure all companion animals in a quiet room before the celebration begins. This will prevent door dashers and panicked companion animals from escaping outside.

Advise clients to leave dogs at home while trick-or-treating. The commotion can alarm and confuse them, resulting in aggression, injuries and or lost animals.

Halloween is also an unsafe night for cats. Outdoor cats — especially black cats — should be brought indoors several days before and after Halloween to protect them from pranksters and ill-intentioned individuals.

Veterinary clinics can also recommend microchipping and ID tags to help reunite clients with lost companion animals. 

Decoration Do’s and Don’ts

Halloween decorations pose varying degrees of danger to animals. Lit candles, glow sticks and artificial cobwebs, moving dolls and fog machines, to name a few. To prevent fear and harm, clients can choose more animal-friendly décor and or place hazardous items out of reach. Companion animals should be closely monitored when around decorations.

Comfortable Costumes

Not all companion animals want to be mythical creatures or characters for Halloween. Only those who are comfortable in costume should be dressed for the occasion. Suitable outfits are free of choking hazards such as buttons and allow animals to move freely. Avoid costumes that restrict breathing, hearing, or sight. Costumes may be harmful to uncoordinated puppies and kittens, along with older companion animals with limited mobility. Clients can always opt for a festive bandanna instead. If animals show signs of stress and or discomfort, costumes should be removed immediately.

Toxic Foods

All candy, alcoholic beverages, and other food should be secured in cabinets with a child-safety latch or placed in a location that animals cannot access. A few foods that are poisonous to companion animals include chocolate, chewing gum, and xylitol — a sweetener (sugar alcohol) commonly used in candy. Veterinary offices can provide information on toxic foods, the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline, and PET MD’s Dog Chocolate Toxicity Meter.

Emergency Plan

Guardians must act quickly in the event of an emergency by seeking immediate treatment at a veterinary clinic. Waiting until the following day to visit a veterinarian may result in increased health complications. Supply clients with clinic contact information (magnetic business cards are a great promo tool) and phone numbers of local animal hospitals to ensure that pawed patients will receive care as quickly as possible.

Further Resources for Veterinary Clinics

veterinary clinics halloween

Veterinary clinics can extend care to pawed patients beyond the office by reviewing Halloween safety procedures with clients each October. Veterinary professionals may also mention general home safety tips. A key component to maintaining companion animal health is ensuring their everyday safety.

To safeguard pawed patients year-round, CrossCheck’s provides a suite of payment solutions to support veterinary businesses, including the consumer-friendly Multiple Check service.

This easy-to-use service allows clinics to design individualized payments for clients who are unable to fully pay for treatments on the day they are administered. Clients write 2 – 4 checks that are deposited over a 30-day window. CrossCheck provides guaranteed funding of all approved checks when deposited by veterinary clinics, and furry patients receive proper care without delay because Multiple Check provides a little extra time for their parents to pay. Download our free guide to learn more.

 

Multiple Check Insider's Guide

Topics: Veterinarians

Written by Jessica Beaudry

Inbound Marketer at CrossCheck.