It’s that time of year when ghosts and goblins,
fairy princesses and pirates are out roaming the
streets asking for candy. While this is a fun and
exciting time for children (and many adults too!),
you will need to take a few extra precautions to
ensure that your pet enjoys the evening too.
Keep your pet away from trick-or-treaters and
Halloween festivities. Many dogs and cats are easily
frightened by people in costumes. If you are having
a party at home, keep your dog away from the festivities
and occupied with a long lasting chew or toy. Lots
of people, strange smells, and loud noises can
spook even the calmest of animals.
Keep your companion animals in a closed room with
food and water. Cats are natural escape artists
and can easily slip, unnoticed, out of a door opened
for trick-or-treaters. A frightened dog will bark
or lunge at unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. Be
sure all pets are wearing collars and ID tags in
case of an accidental getaway. And don’t
leave your pet alone in the yard - he is an easy
target for pranksters.
Keep decorations out of your pet’s reach.
Lit Jack-O-Laterns pose a real fire risk as they
can be easily tipped over by a curious cat or a
wagging tail. Pets also run the risk of getting
tangled in decorations or receiving a deadly shock
from chewing on electrical cords.
Keep the candy for the kids. Chocolate contains
a lethal ingredient called theobromine, and the
darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains.
Candy wrappers can also be harmful if swallowed.
If you want to give your pet a sweet treat, offer
her a few of her favorite treats.
Dress the children, not the pets. Most pets do
not like, or are even frightened by the constraints
of a costume. Some costumes can also impair your
dog’s sight, hearing, or ability to breathe.
Stick with Halloween themed collars and leashes
if you want your pet to look the part.
