Monthly Archives: October 2019

Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween

Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween

It’s almost Halloween!  Costumes are purchased.  Decorations are in place and treats are being prepared for visiting trick or treaters.  Everything seems in place, but what about our pets?  Pets enjoy Halloween too so how do we keep them safe?

Candy, especially chocolate is a significant danger and can be poison to our pets.  Chocolate is dangerous for two reasons.  First, chocolate contains two chemicals-caffeine and theobromine which are stimulants.  Symptoms can begin in 6-12 hours after ingestion.  These symptoms can include panting, hyperactivity, increased thirst and urination.  High concentrations lead to irregular heart rhythms, seizures, coma, and even death.  There are all levels of sensitivity just like in people, some dogs and cats can be sensitive to chocolate and show signs of poisoning from much lesser amounts.

Chocolate is very high in sugar and fat.  This could cause mild diarrhea, or more dangerous gastroenteritis, pancreatitis and liver disease from ingestion of large amounts of chocolate.  Keep all candy out of the reach of pets and explain to young children that it is not safe to feed candy to dogs and cats.

If your pet is afraid of loud noises or frightened when people come to the door.  Speak to your veterinarian about a calming supplement or mild tranquilizer to get your pet through Halloween comfortably. Never do this on your own.  Consult a professional as the dose for pets is different than people. Be extremely cautious if your dog or cat goes out and navigates the yard on their own.  Don’t leave them unattended on Halloween night.  Pets innocently fall victim to Halloween pranks.

Our pets are special to us.  Don’t let their safety become less of a priority due to the excitement of the holiday.  With some planning, the day can be fun for the entire family.  Hopefully, this information will help to provide a safe environment for our pets.  Think Safety First and Have a Happy Halloween!

by Denise Visco

 

Candy Corn Fun Facts

Candy Corn Fun Facts

Although everyone might seem pumpkin spice crazy at the moment, there is always one Halloween classic treat that will never be forgotten. And that is, candy corn. This sweet treat is a Halloween staple and often overlooked. We are going to give you some Halloween fun facts that you might not have known. And after reading our facts, let us know your favorite! And don’t forget to enjoy this classic treat on October 30th because that is National Candy Corn day!

• The original name for candy corn was “Chick Feed” and was marketed toward farmers.

• Candy corn has been around for over 130 years when George Renninger, a candy maker at the Wunderlee Candy Company, stumbled upon the perfect mixture of corn syrup, sugar and marshmallow flavoring, which invented the tri-color candy in 1880.

• Americans have debated on the style of how the kernels should be consumed. According to a survey, 46.8% of people think that the whole kernel should be eaten at once, compared to 42.7% that start at the white, narrow end. While the remaining 10.6% of people start at the wider yellow end.

• A recent CNN Facebook survey found that older people tend to like candy corn more than younger ones do. The study also found that 86% of females love candy corn compared to 14% of males.

• According to Google Insights, candy corn is the most searched for candy term in Google. Alabama has the highest about of candy corn searches out of all 50 states. The only thing sweeter than “Sweet Home Alabama” is the candy corn itself.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo