9 Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

By Morris Animal Inn |
While Halloween is a fun day to dress up and eat your fair share of candy, remember the holiday isn’t as fun for your pets!  When people are suddenly wearing weird masks, hats, and ringing the doorbell, Halloween can be stressful and confusing for dogs and cats. Here are a few tips to ensure your pets have a safe and happy Halloween!
1. Keep the candy away from your pets! Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause severe problems. Believe it or not, raisins, Raisinets, or any kind of raisin treat can be detrimental to your dog’s kidney, and sugary treats will cause them an upset stomach. Foil candy wrappers are a hazard as well.

2. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

3. If you dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict movement or hearing, or impede their ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting them go au naturale or wear a festive bandana.

4. Take a close look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that they could choke on. Also, poor-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

5. Keep your pets in a safe, quiet and separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours or party time. Too many strangers and excessive doorbell ringing can be scary and stressful for pets.

6. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, make sure your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside. In case they do happen to escape through the open door, make sure your pet is properly identified with a microchip and/or collar and ID tag.

7. Keep lit candles and jack-o-lanterns out of reach from your furry friends. Their curiosity may cause them to get burned!

8. Keep glow sticks and glow jewelry away from your pets. Although the liquid in these products isn’t likely toxic, it tastes really bad and makes pets salivate excessively and act strange!

9. If going out to trick-or-treat, leave your dog at home! Lots of costumed children on the street may be frightening.

 

Knowing the potential risks will help your family have the best day possible. Happy Halloween!  We hope you have a spook-tacular day!

 

Source: AMVA, ASPCA

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