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Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Halloween Safety Tips for PetsIt’s spooky season, friends, but let’s make sure not to spook your pets too much. Halloween can be incredibly fun for pet parents, but there are plenty of hazards that come with the holiday. There are several things you can do to keep your furry friends happy, safe, and secure during this fall holiday. Here are a few Halloween safety tips for pets that you should bear in mind this season.

Safeguard the Candy

Halloween is all about treats, and oftentimes those treats can be harmful to your pets if ingested. So stash the candy bowl! Chocolate in all forms, especially dark chocolate and baking chocolate, can be very dangerous and toxic to dogs and cats.

Also, some sugar-free candies that include the ingredient xylitol can be very toxic to animals. It’s best to make sure these treats are out of the reach of your pets. You’ll want to throw away candy wrappers promptly as well since these can cause blockages. If your dog does ingest chocolate or something toxic to pets, call your veterinarian at Longwood immediately.

Don’t Spook ‘Em

Halloween can keep a flurry of trick-or-treaters and other visitors coming to your door throughout the evening. This can be really stressful for some pets! Bear this in mind as you make your Halloween plans and preparations.

Consider keeping your dog or cat in another room away from the front door where the activity is focused. If your pet stays with you, make sure to prevent him from running outside when you open the door. It’s also important to ensure your pet is wearing proper ID tags or is microchipped. If he escapes on this wild night, you want to be sure you can locate your lost pet again quickly.

Pets may become overwhelmed by these celebrations, and some pet owners have concerns about sequestering pets in a quiet room. If you have concerns about your pet’s anxiety on Halloween night, discuss the possibility of prescription medications with your Longwood Veterinarian.

Pet Costumes

Dressing up your pet for Halloween can be a cute and creative way to celebrate. However, this may cause stress or discomfort for some pets. If your pet has had trouble with costumes or clothing in the past, consider skipping this tradition on Halloween.

If you do choose to dress your pal in a Halloween pet costume, make sure the costume is comfortable. Costumes should not limit your pet’s movement, inhibit sight or breathing, or cause undue anxiety. You’ll also want to check the costume for loose parts. Small, loose pieces could present a risk of intestinal blockage if your pet were to ingest them.

Halloween Safety Tips for PetsSafe Decorations

Fun and festive Halloween decorations help make the holiday so great, but be conscious of safety too. While this holiday celebrates all things scary, you will want to avoid a scary trip to the emergency vet.

A knocked-over jack-o-lantern with a lit candle could start a fire if unnoticed. Pumpkins and decorative corn can cause stomach issues for pets if ingested. Other plastic decorations could be tempting chew toys as well. You’ll need to ensure your pet is safe from these potential hazards.

Pet Friendly Treats

Pets should be able to enjoy Halloween treats too! It’s a great idea to have pet-friendly treats available for those who bring their furry pals trick-or-treating. Some brands even have festive trick-or-treat-ready snacks perfect for the dogs in your neighborhood.

Having special treats on hand for these pup friends is a sweet gesture. It can help include them in the festivities this holiday season, while also keeping them safe. We hope our Halloween safety tips for pets help you and your pal have the best holiday yet. Happy Howl-oween!