Halloween Pet Safety Tips 🎃🦮

Who’s ready for Halloween in just three days? 🙋‍♀️ We sure are, and we want you and your furbabies to be too! 🎃👻

Every animal is unique and will react to the Halloween festivities differently – so we want to make sure you are proactive and pupared for anything that may come your way! Here are a couple of tips and tricks to ensure you and your furbabies have a great Halloween!

Stash the Treats

The candy bowl is for trick-or-treaters, not your pet! Many Halloween treats are toxic to pets, so make sure to keep them out of reach! Chocolate is the most well-known treat that is toxic to pets, but sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause severe problems in your pets as well. If your pet ends up getting hold of any candy, we recommend you call your vet immediately and ask for their expertise.

Jack-O-Lantern Safety

While a carved pumpkin is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire or burn themselves. While pumpkins are generally regarded as non-toxic to your pets, they can produce stomach discomfort, so be sure to keep an eye on any of your four-legged friends that may be overly intrigued by your “jacks”!

Chip Your Pets

Your doorbell (or knocks on the door) will inevitably go off throughout the night, which can cause panic and distress to some pets. All but the most social pets should be kept in a separate room away from the door. When opening the door for visitors, be sure that your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside. Ensure your pet is microchipped, up-to-date, and wearing proper identification if they do escape.

Be Careful With Costumes

For some pets, wearing a costume may cause stress. Do not put your cat or dog in a costume unless you know they love it. Make sure the costume does not limit movement, sight, or ability to breathe or communicate with you (barks or meows). Check the costume to ensure no minor aspects can be chewed off and potentially choked on. If your pet is wearing an outfit, make sure there is a guardian with them at all times. Festive bandanas are a great alternative to pets who do not appreciate costumes!

Keep Pets Calm

Halloween brings a lot of activity and strangers. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room. If the doorbell brings them anxiety, keep them in a separate room with a noise distractor on, such as the tv, the radio, or a calming video playing in the background.

Watch the Wires & Decorations

Halloween decorations can be harmful and even deadly to your pets should they chew or ingest them. Ensure to hide any wires associated with decor and any loose threads or pieces that could easily be choked on.

With these tips, you will set your pets up for success this spooky season! Make sure to share these tips with your friends and family that may have four-legged friends in their homes!

References: The Human Society of the United States