10/22/2022
We all love this time of year. The cooler weather, pumpkin treats, and pets in adorable costumes.
While some pets enjoy the excitement of this season, others might be a little intimidated by it.
I wanted to share a few tips to make this season a little easier and safer for our furry family members.
1. Halloween hype causes pet stress -
When going out trick-or-treating, please leave your dog at home. Dogs can be easily excited by Halloween commotion, and a bite incident or a lost dog will quickly end the evening’s fun.
2. Halloween candy—a treat for you, a trick for your pet/pets -
Keep your candy safely stashed up high, in a cabinet secured with a lock or child-safety latch. Many foods, such as chocolate, gum, and xylitol (a sweetener used in many foods) are hazardous to pets.
3. Steer your pets away from dangerous Halloween decorations -
Create pet-friendly holiday decorations. Make your cat a haunted house out of cardboard boxes, or put treats and toys in a paper bag (remove any handles first, as cats can get their heads stuck) for a feline version of trick-or-treat.
4. Be cautious with pet Halloween costumes -
Keep an eye on your costumed pet to make sure the costume is comfortable and allows your pet to move freely. Also, be sure to remove any chewable parts or objects that could come off and choke your pet if ingested.
5. Protect your pets from outdoor dangers
Make sure that all your pets are wearing current ID tags, and that their microchip is registered with your most up-to-date information. Opening the door repeatedly, for trick-or-treaters, creates plenty of opportunities for a pet to slip outside !