6 Halloween Safety Tips for your Pets


Halloween is a fun holiday for many. It’s a holiday filled with costumes, candy and pumpkins. While we often think of safety tips for kids on Halloween, have you considered these for your pet?

Halloween can be a frightful holiday for pets, not just black cats. We are sharing five Halloween Safety Tips for your pets to ensure 2- and 4-legged friends have a good time.

Halloween-Tips-for-dogs

6 Halloween Safety Tips for your Pets

  1. Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

    That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for your curious dog or cat. 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 problems. Make sure you properly dispose of any wrappers; just the scent of the candy might have your pet interested in them. 

 The biggest risk for pets this time of year is candy ingestion. And dogs and cats are great at mopping up candy on the floor, finding the candy basket, and getting up on counters to get their fix.

Chocolate, specifically dark, is highly toxic to pets, but raisins and xylitol, a sugar-substitute found commonly in sugar-free gums and mints, are also dangerous and should be avoided. Even one piece of sugar-free cum can be toxic for a small pet.

Make sure all candy and sweets are placed away in closet, draw, or pantry. 

2. KNOW YOUR DOGS ANXIETY LEVEL

Don’t leave your pet outside. Have them securely in the house, especially if you plan on leaving with your kids to trick or treat. Additional activity outside can make pets nervous and you don’t want your pet taken from your property.

Dogs and cats can get spooked by the doorbell and trick-or-treaters, particularly if they are in costume. It is important to minimize stress for your pets. This can be done by isolating them in a quiet area of the house, with calming music and their favorite toys. 

In some more severe cases, animals may require other forms of anxiety relief, including medications and supplements. These should always be discussed with your veterinarian. 

During peak trick-or-treating hours, pets can also easily escape through the front door and become lost. Keep a close eye on pets during this time, and think about securing them in a room or crate. 

dogs-on-halloween

3. Pumpkin Safety and Dogs

While cooked pumpkin is sometimes recommended for your dog when they have a belly ache, uncooked pumpkin and decorative corn could cause gastrointestinal upset.

DON’T USE CANDLES  Additionally, consider using a battery operated light in your carved pumpkin. Pets, especially curious puppies and kittens, can easily get burned or start a fire if they bump into a candle lit pumpkin.

 

4.Trick-or-Treater Time:  Even if you pet is on the social side, all those door bells and kids can be stressful for your pet. It is best to keep your pet in a quiet room or on leash when visitors come to the door. Keeping your pet secured will prevent your pets from getting loose when you greet the trick or treaters.

5. Collars and ID’s  Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you. Consider buying Tags and Leashes that glow in the dark like  GLOW in the Dark Leashes and Collars.

  • Glow in the dark rubber technology with webbed backing
  • Comfortable, durable, water resistant and easy to clean 
  • Launching three new patterns (Dots, Tossed Stars, Grid)
  • Adjustable sizing from x-small – large    

petmate-glowin dark

6. TREATS

Thinking about giving out dog and cat treats? You might want to reconsider. Giving a pet food they aren’t used to could cause GI upset. I would consider a ball or a safe cat or dog toy as a treat instead. You can probably find them in bulk at your pet store.

7. Candy wrappers and bags. Candy and treat wrappers can also be dangerous to pets, as they can cause choking or gastrointestinal obstruction. Plastic bags and candy bags can also cause pets to suffocate if they get their heads stuck inside.

Dogs in particular, rummaging through bags, can easily get their heads stuck in plastic bags, causing them to suffocate within minutes. Once their head gets stuck, they panic, and hyperventilate, which will cause the bag to form a seal around the face depleting them of oxygen and can lead to death. Be sure to immediately dispose of candy wrappers and bags. 

Glow in the Dark Toys like JW® Megalast ® Glow Toys would be perfect for your dog buddies. 

MAXGLOW-dog products

What other Halloween Safety tips would you add for your pets?

 

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