How to Make Halloween Safer for Your Pet

The Halloween is no doubt one of the most exciting and fun events of the year. It’s a great time to bond with family and friends, escape from the daily hassles of life, and have an excuse to indulge in sweets… a lot of it! However, if you are a pet owner, you might be concerned about how your furry companion would deal with the loud noise, unfamiliar faces and costumes, hazardous decorations, and the abundance of candies that aren’t safe for them.

Don’t worry. There are ways to keep your pet safe in the spookiest time of the year. Just follow these guidelines so both you and your pet can have a great time together.

• Keep those treats away from your pet.

Those colorful treats are for the kids and kids-at-heart to enjoy, not for the pets. Take note that chocolate (in all forms) is dangerous for cats and dogs. Keep those tubs or bowls of candy away from your pet’s reach and inform your kids (and other little guests) not to give anything to your pets. Even sugar-free candies that contain a substance called ‘xylitol’ can be dangerous for animals. So that your furry babies still get to enjoy the Halloween, buy them their own Halloween treats, such as pet cookie treats. They will surely appreciate your sweet gesture!

• Beware of that jack-o lantern.

Although pets can eat that pumpkin, the ASPCA warns that eating too much of this fall vegie can cause your pet to experience upset stomach. What’s more, they can knock over the lit pumpkin and start a fire. Whenever possible, place your Halloween decors at a certain height where your pets can’t reach them.

• Keep them well-groomed.

This Halloween, don’t forget to take your pet to the grooming shop for some cleaning and freshening up. You might be planning to take your furry babies to Halloween parties and festivals around the town. It is important to keep him clean to avoid getting sick easily. Since it’s fall and the weather has started to get colder and snowy at times, making use of pet dryers to keep them warm and dry is essential for their health. 

• Do what’s best for your pet.

Surely, there would be plenty of people knocking on your door, most of these faces are unfamiliar to your pets. If they aren’t used to seeing a lot of people or interacting with strangers, it is better to keep them in a separate room. Just check on them from time to time and make sure they have food, water and proper ventilation. While the Halloween can be festive and fun for us, humans, loud and busy celebrations like this can be stressful for our pets. Additionally, make sure that your pets are wearing proper identification (ID tags, microchip, etc.) in case they try to escape during peak trick-or-treating hours. Whenever possible, keep your pet on leash.

• Choose a comfortable, safe costume for your pet.

If you plan to dress your pet for Halloween, be careful when choosing a costume and only do this if your pet is comfortable wearing one. Make sure that the costume does not limit their movement and their ability to breathe. Do away from costumes that have small, dangling pieces that can be ingested by your pet or cause chocking.

• Keep them calm all the time.

Give your pet his favorite toy so he does not get too stressed during the event especially if socializing isn’t his thing. Check on him from time to time and don’t forget to give your pet some warm hugs and touch every once in a while. Your presence, attention and physical affection can do a lot of magic in keeping him calm throughout a stressful occasion.

• Clear your home from candy wrappers.

The smell of these delicious candies and sweets (even just the wrappers) can be tempting for pets so make sure you clean them up as you see them. These foil and cellophane wrappers can be toxic to pets, and could damage their kidneys.

By following these tips and suggestions, you can have peace of mind that your furry babies stay healthy, happy and safe this Halloween.