Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
Halloween Pet Safety
Kids are not the only ones that can get spooked by ghosts and goblins on Halloween, there are dangers out there for pets as well. While Halloween is a fun, candy-filled time for many, it’s important to remember that human treats can be deadly to pets, especially some Halloween candies. There are other dangers for our furry friends as well. We all love our pets, so here are four Halloween safety tips for pets to help keep them safe.
1. Be sure your pet is wearing an ID tag and is safe inside your home.
All the activity on Halloween, including the hordes of trick or treaters, can be very scary for most pets. Even you're your most mild-mannered lab may get frightened and act out. You should designate a safe spot in your home, where they can feel safe and be away from all of the noise and strangers. Perhaps close them into your bedroom with the TV on low to muffle some of the scary sounds. Don’t ever leave your pets outside on Halloween, even if they are in fenced in yards. The sight of your dog in your yard or your black cat on the porch might prove tempting to a youngster trying to play a prank. It is called Trick or Treat after all. Rather, keep pets in a secure area of your home, especially when you’re opening and closing the door for trick or treaters. Your pet may get spooked and run outside. You don’t want them to get injured running around the neighborhood on such a busy night. An ID tag and/or microchip can help to find them quickly should they get out, but try to prevent that from happening in the first place.
2. Keep Halloween candy away from your pets.
Chocolate can be very dangerous, even deadly, for dogs and cats. Halloween candies may also contain other ingredients, such as xylitol, that is poisonous to pets. Sugary, high-fat candy and other sweets can lead to vomiting or diarrhea or possibly painful pancreatitis. To be safe, it’s best to keep that Halloween candy stash safely out of the reach of your pets. Candy wrappers pose a danger as well, so be sure they are out of reach as well.
3. Keep pet costumes simple.
Who doesn’t love to see a lovable puppy in a cute Halloween costume? Although it may look adorable, it can be quite dangerous. A pet Halloween costume may limit your pet’s movement and cause undue stress. It can even hinder their ability to see or to breath properly. Finally, chewed off pieces or hanging strings could present a choking hazard. If you are dressing your pet in a costume, be sure it fits properly and doesn’t restrict them in any way. In addition, watch them closely while they are in the costume. It may be safer and easier to purchase a Halloween-themed collar and leash or to slip on a colorful Halloween bandana instead.
4. Avoid dangerous Halloween Decor.
If you go all out for Halloween and have candles and fake cobwebs all over your house, keep an eye on those pets! Those Jack-o’-lanterns with candles that are helping you achieve haunting mood can be dangerous. Be sure to keep a watch on pets around any open flames. You don't want a candle to be knocked over by a wagging tail or your little friend to get burned. You could be risking a house fire as well as serious injury to your pet. In addition, cobwebs and decorative corn cobs can cause a choking hazard, stray wires from those orange lights can be chewed on and glow sticks and other items can prove poisonous.
You know your pets, so you will have a good idea of what may frighten or make them anxious. You can plan ahead to avoid those things and make this holiday less stressful for your little wet-nosed buddies. After all, you want to keep them safe from things that go boo in the night. Your friends at Spirit Financial Credit Union wish you and your family, both 2-legged and 4-legged, a happy and safe Halloween. Follow Spirit Financial on social media and watch for new blogs every week for more articles like this.