Halloween Safety For Pets 

Halloween can be full of temptations and danger for pets – and not just in the candy and the opened front door. Your pet needs to be looked after with extra care during Halloween.

Here are some tips to ensure your pet’s safety:

• Make sure your dog or cat is wearing ID tags, the best and safest place for them is indoors.
• Don’t leave your dog or cat out in the yard – there are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have harmed pets on Halloween – especially black cats.
• Candies are definitely not good for your pets – both cats and dogs. Chocolate is poisonous and tin foil and cellophane wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
• If you are putting a costume on your dog or cat, make sure that it isn’t constricting or unsafe. Be careful not to obstruct the pet’s vision. (Even the friendliest and sweetest dog can get snappy when he doesn’t see what is going on around him.)
• It is not a good idea to let the family dog accompany your children on their trick-or-treat mission without the company of an adult. Children may a have a difficult time handling the pet with so many others around.
• Keep decorations that your pet could chew on out of reach – like streamers, spider webs, wires, and cords.
• Place live flame decoration like candles and jack- o’-lanterns out of your pet’s reach. Curious critters risk being burned by the flame and they could easily knock over the candle or pumpkin and cause a fire.
• It is a good idea to keep your pet in a quiet place away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and could easily become frightened or agitated by the strange sights and sounds of costumed visitors.
• If your cat or dog absolutely has to be outside, make sure that they are visible to others. A reflective or flashing collar will do the trick.

And once more – make sure your pet is wearing ID tags – all it takes is an open door and attention elsewhere to find yourself searching for your pet.

Have a happy and safe Halloween and remember that your comments are always welcomed here!