It’s always fun to include pets in all your celebrations and Halloween is no exception. With a few safety tips in mind, you can make sure they enjoy all the spooky festivities while avoiding real-life scares and dangers.
1. Choose a safe & comfortable costume for your pet
If you want to dress your pet up in a costume, ensure it does not hinder their movement, breathing, hearing, and eyesight in any way. The costume should ideally be made from non-toxic materials without any accessories that can serve as choking hazards. Prior to Halloween, introduce your pet to their costume. Let them sniff it, try it on, and observe if they are comfortable while wearing it.
2. Watch what they eat and/or drink
Chocolate, candy, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol are toxic for pets. Although pumpkins are safe for them to eat, mouldy pieces or large bites can cause choking and intestinal organ damage. Whether you plan on walking outside to go trick or treating, or will be attending a party, keep a close eye on what your pet nibbles on. Signs they may have eaten something toxic include vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors.
3. Be careful of decorations
Halloween displays, tinsel, and lights are eye-catching for all of us – pets included. Ensure your pet stays away from décor as they can cause burns, electric shocks, skin irritation, and suffocation.
4. Prepare your pet for trick-or-treaters
The constant ringing of your doorbell combined with unfamiliar noise and smells of trick-or-treaters may be too much for your pet to handle, especially if they have pre-existing anxiety issues. It may be a good idea to keep your pet in a separate area or room of your home that is far away from your entrance. If you typically go for walks at night, consider taking your stroll in the morning to avoid the Halloween crowd.
5. Make sure your pet’s microchip is updated
Halloween is a common time of year for pets to get lost. It only takes a split second for them to run out the door while you graciously give treats to your neighbours. As such, it is always a good idea to check that their collars and microchips are updated with your most recent contact info. This way, you can be contacted right away if they ever get lost.
Have more questions about Halloween safety for pets? Feel free to contact us at 905-690-0040.
