Halloween can be a fun time for kids and adults, but keeping your pets safe may require extra precautionary actions. Keep in mind, implementing simple safety measures may actually save your pet’s life.
Protecting Your Pet at Halloween
As a pet owner, you know what is best for your fur baby. The following tips are a guideline to remind you about Halloween pet safety.
1. Keep Halloween Candy in a Safe Place
Halloween candy is not for your furry companions. Keep the bowl or bag of treats up high away from your pets. Prior to Halloween, consider storing the candy in a container with a lid for extra protection. Chocolate and sugar-free candies are toxic to cats and dogs. Even a small piece may have you running your pet to the vet.
2. Use Kennels
When passing out Halloween candy or hosting a party, your pet may accidentally escape out an opened door. Using kennels, crates or closing your pet in another room keeps your pet safe.
- Protect Trick-or-Treaters: Using a kennels helps protect the trick-or-treaters coming to your door. Costumes may be scary for your pet. Keeping your fur baby away from the door eliminates the possibility of a child being bitten.
- Pet Protection: Halloween night often leads to pranks and other mischievous situations. Keeping your pet safe in a kennel or other room eliminates the possibility of your pet being stolen from your yard.
3. Identification
Even with the best intentions, pets may squeeze through the smallest opening to go outdoors. Microchipping or name tags will help bring your pet safely back home.
4. Pumpkin and Decoration Safety
Pumpkins are a great decoration for Halloween. An open flame from a candle is a danger to your curious pet. Placing the pumpkins out of reach or using a battery operated candle will help keep your pet safe.
Along with pumpkins, other decorations may put your pet at risk. Dangling ghosts, flying witches, or cobwebs are all part of Halloween fun. Keeping the decorations up in the air out of your pet’s reach is necessary to avoid harm.
5. Glow Sticks
Glow sticks are a fun accessory for Halloween. The plastic or the inner liquid may have an unwanted effect on your pet.
6. Pet Dress Up
Dressing up your cat or dog in a costume may be fun for you at Halloween. Just remember your pet’s safety and overall well-being.
- Proper Fit: The costume must be size appropriate. For example, a tight-fitting costume may result in difficulty breathing. A larger one may cause the inability to walk properly.
- Avoid Stress: Many pets simply do not feel at ease in Halloween costumes or other outfits. If you notice your pet is uncomfortable, removing the costume is a priority.
- Avoid Choking Hazards: Check your pet’s Halloween costume for potential dangers. Buttons, jewelry or other costume accessories may scratch your pet. Increasing the chance of choking, many pets may attempt to chew or scratch off the pieces of the costume.
- Keep the Costume Simple: Hats, wigs, helmets or other heavy feeling accessories may cause your pet to panic. Keeping the costume simple and lightweight will help make your pet more comfortable.
Pets are a wonderful addition to the family. Keeping your furry legged companion safe at Halloween may require extra planning.
