Halloween hype causes pet stress
Before the trick-or-treating starts, put your pets in a
quiet room
where they will be safe from all the Halloween activity. When going out trick-or-treating, leave your dog at home.
Halloween candy—a treat for you, a trick for your pet(s)
Many foods
, such as
chocolate
,
gum
and
xylitol
(a sweetener used in many foods) are hazardous to pets. If you suspect your pet has eaten something that's bad for them, call your full-service veterinarian or the Poison Control Center
(
888-426-4435)
immediately.
Steer your pets away from dangerous Halloween decorations
Be aware of which decorations pose threats. Some hazards are obvious, like
lit candles
(fire hazards and toxic to birds if scented). Other potentially dangerous decorations include
rubber eyeballs
(choking risk),
glow sticks
and
fake blood
(possible poisons),
fake cobwebs
(can choke or entangle pets and wildlife),
potpourri
(toxic to birds) and
strung lights
. Watch out for those
candy wrappers
and
plastic packaging
too!
Be cautious with pet Halloween costumes
If you do choose a costume for your pet, consider your pet’s personality and what type of costume they may tolerate and for how long. Masks and hats that fit around the face, for example, may be OK for the length of time it takes to snap a quick pic, but they can pose dangers and make your pet feel uncomfortable. Best to keep pet costumes minimal.
Keep an eye on your costumed pet to make sure the costume is comfortable and allows your pet to move freely. If your pet appears uncomfortable, take off the costume. Signs of discomfort include
folded down ears, eyes rolling back or looking sideways, a tucked tail or hunching over.
Protect your pets from outdoor dangers
Bring your pets indoors before night falls. Cats are always safest inside with you, but on Halloween it’s especially important to secure all pets inside so they don’t run away out of fear of adults and children in costumes.
In case they escape, make sure that all your pets are wearing
tags with current IDs
and that their
microchip is registered
with your most up-to-date information.
