With the spooky season upon us, now is the time to start thinking about carving some creepy crawlers and creating clever costumes. From cute cats to scary skeletons, pets can get in on the Halloween fun too!
But as you begin planning your pet’s costume and prepping for trick-or-treaters, it’s important to remember that Halloween can create dangerous situations for pets. As a pet parent, you must ensure your furry friend is safe!
Don’t Leave Your Pet Unattended
As you enjoy all the spooky fun of Halloween, remember that it can be a stressful time for pets. They may have difficulty adjusting to new people coming into your home. There is a risk of them getting scared or anxious with the constant visit of ghosts and witches.
It’s best to keep your pets safe and secure by not leaving them alone on October 31st. With the number of trick-or-treaters on your doorstep, doorbells ringing, and loud noises from pumpkins being smashed, your pet could become very anxious and stressed out.
If you are leaving your pet alone for the night, be sure to keep the house relatively quiet. It is a good idea to put your pet in a room far away from the front door, exposing them to minimize noise. Or maybe you’d like to have plenty of toys and treats on hand to help keep your furry fellow calm and quiet.
Make Sure All Halloween Treats Are Out of Reach
As much as we all love the idea of trick-or-treating, laying Halloween candies around is a significant safety hazard for our pets. While some candies may be safe for your pet to consume, others can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
It is vital to ensure that all the Halloween foods, such as chocolate, gum, and xylitol, are out of your pet’s reach. If your pet ingests scary amounts of sugar or anything you believe can be hazardous, it will need immediate medical attention. In such a case, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Keep Your Pets ID on
Keeping your pet’s ID on is essential, no matter the time of year. But it is crucial to have your pet’s ID tag on during Halloween. If your dog or cat ever gets out of the house, it’s the only way to get them back home safely.
While it may seem fun to put a costume on your cat or dog, we recommend you put identification on your pet instead. And if you’re looking for something a little spookier, consider getting Halloween-themed tags.
Keep Your Pety Away From Candles and Incense
It may be a spooky addition to your Halloween decorations, but don’t leave lit candles around your pets. Even a tiny flame from a candlestick or votive can burn your cat, dog, or any other household pet if they get too close.
In the same way, smoke from burning incense can cause severe respiratory issues for pets. Also, while many scents are safe for humans, most of them are toxic to pets.
And even if you keep the candles on high surfaces where your pets can’t reach them, you never know when a gust of wind or a pet jumping on furniture could knock them over.
If your pet faces an accident or experiences any respiratory issues, take them to a vet clinic in Aurora if you happen to live in the area.
Make Sure Your Fence is Secure
You’ll want to check your fence for any holes or weak spots and pay close attention to any gate. Ensure your pet isn’t able to jump over the fence or push open the gate if they’ve gotten out. If your pet is indoor-only, you can keep them safe by closing all windows and blinds, especially if you live on a busy street.
In case your pet feels anxious with all the costumed trick-or-treaters outside, consider playing some loud music or turning on the TV to drown out the noise.