Halloween Safety for Your Pet

Halloween is a fun time for kids and adults, but not so fun for your pet. Dogs and cats need some extra special attention on the night when goblins and ghouls are knocking at the door! Keep your furry four legged family members safe and feeling secure this Halloween.

Candy and Treats

Keep all trick and treat candy away from your pet. Chocolate is especially dangerous in any form for dogs and cats. Cellophane wrappers, foil, and plastic can get stuck in your pet's throats and are deadly. Have a box of doggie or cat treats for your furry pal.

Pumpkins, Gourds, and Decorative Corn

These can be great Halloween decorations, but to a dog or cat they can look like something to nibble on. At the very least these will cause upset stomachs; At worst, larger pieces of pumpkin or corn can cause serious obstructions in your pet's digestive system. Take care to have these and other food-like décor safely out of your pet's curious paws.

Lights, Cords, Candles

All fun to light up pathways and yards with, but wires and cords are favorites of pets to chew on. Make sure your pet does not get his mouth on any cord, light bulb decorations, or wires.

Candles inside Jack O Lanterns look spooky and are a Halloween decorative staple on front porches everywhere. Be watchful for wagging tails and wiggling furry bodies nearby any candle. Kittens and puppies are especially likely to dart around haphazardly, and could easily knock over Jack O Lanterns and such. Curious paws can be quickly burned. Again, have fun with your spooky lights, but keep dogs and cats safely away from these hot temptations!

Costumes for Pets

While we might love the way our pets might look all dressed up in adorable Halloween pet costumes, the pets themselves probably do not. Halloween is stressful for pets already with loud noises, strangers constantly at the door, and strange looking decorations (and people!) about. Putting a costume on your dog or cat might just add to their nervousness. If you have your heart set on a costume for your pet, then try the costume on him beforetime to see how your pet feels about it. Make sure there are no restrictive areas of the costume, and that it fits comfortably. Animals rely heavily on sight, so make sure your furry friend can see clearly with no obstruction of his view.

Be Ready With ID Tags

Make sure your pet has ID tags with current information on them. Even with precautions taken, nervous dogs and cats get out open doors. If your pet should get out and get lost in the night, having tags and collars will go a long way in a safe return. Microchips under the skin are another option for helping owners and lost pets find each other again.

Safe and Secure

Your pet will probably feel safe and secure tucked away in another room with a closed door. Keep a cozy bed and water available for them. Check in from time to time to give reassurances if your pet is experiencing nervousness from the doorbell ringing frequently. Loud unfamiliar noises and scents will probably have your pet on guard. Calm them with a hug and a treat. Keeping them safe and away from opening front doors is important.

Keep Pets Inside, Especially Cats

Unfortunately, Halloween has been known to be very harmful to animals, especially cats. Black cats in particular are often in danger in the nights just before Halloween and on Halloween night. Even animal shelters and pet stores have been known to not have black cats be available for adoption around this particular holiday. Cats need to be kept safely inside the period of time before and during Halloween. All pets are safest inside and out of reach of danger.

Walk your dog early in the evening of Halloween, while it is still light. Boisterous and scary looking costumed strangers can bring out unpredictable behavior in any dog. Do not take chances. It is best to not take your dog trick or treating with you and your family. If you do take your dog with you, try keeping them on a shorter leash than may be normal to help deter unforeseen problems.

Halloween is spooky and fun for us, but for our pets it can be confusing and scary. A little extra TLC for our furry family members will go along way in keeping them secure and safe.