How to Keep Your Pets Safe at Halloween

While your first instinct at Halloween involves keeping your children safe, don't forget about your pets. Whether you have dogs or cats, you must follow certain tips that protect your pets during the holidays. A trip to the veterinarian is the last thing you want on Halloween.

Make sure that you keep all candy away from your pets, but especially chocolate-based candy. Even a small amount of chocolate may make your dog sick. Pets should also stay away from xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener found in some diet candy and sugar-free candy. Keep the candy on a high shelf, on the top of your refrigerator, inside the fridge, inside a drawer, or in another safe location.

Speaking of keeping things out of reach, don't forget about your holiday decorations. Cats love batting around electrical wires and cords, but one slip of the claw leads to exposed wires. If you or your pet touches that exposed wire, then you're in for a big shock. Keep pets away from plastic decorations as well, especially if your pet likes chewing. Ingesting the plastic may make Sparky sick.

If you use carved pumpkins with candles, then make sure Fido and Fluffy stay away from the decorations. Your pet can easily bump up against one of the pumpkins and knock it over, leading to a fire. Kittens can even poke a paw inside the pumpkin, resulting in singed fur.

When it comes to beggars' night, make your pet comfortable. If your dog loves running out an open door, then put him in another room for the night. Dogs and cats that are not accustomed to loud noises may cause problems with people knocking on your door and the sounds of kids running through the house. If you decide to take Fido outside with you, then make sure his collar and leash fit tightly.

Some of us like dressing our pets up for Halloween. Keep your pets safe by finding a costume that fits properly. A loose costume can get your dog stuck, while a bigger costume covers his face and body, making it difficult to see and walk. Avoid any costumes with loose parts that create a choking hazard. Make sure that your pet has an identification tag with its name and your contact information, just in case he wanders away.

When it comes to keeping your pets safe at Halloween, it's your responsibility. Take into account your dog or cat's attitude when picking a costume and getting it ready for the season.