Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
How to Keep Dogs & Cats Safe Yet Spooky on Halloween, October 31
Sep 20, 2008
Halloween can be a scary and dangerous time for pets. Halloween masks and costumes can be disorienting and frightening to pets. Chocolate candy carelessly left around can lead to chocolate toxicity in a dog. These are just a couple of the dangers that dogs, cats and other pets face on Halloween, so pet owners must take proactive measures to ensure this October 31 is a safe one for furry and feathered family members.
Preparing Pet for Halloween
The Halloween danger usually starts several days before the actual holiday on October 31 of each year.
Pet owners who plan to welcome trick-or-treaters should also ensure that they have a proper dog crate or secure spare bedroom for the pet to relax for the evening, because the constant opening and closing of the front door provides a perfect opportunity for escape.
Tips to Keep Cats, Dogs and Other Pets Safe on Halloween
- Plan on keeping cats, dogs and other pets indoors on Halloween. Children and teens tend to be extra mischievous on Halloween and an unattended black cat, for example, will be at higher risk of injury or abuse on October 31.
- A dog’s perception is very different from a human’s and a dog can become frightened by people wearing Halloween costumes and masks. A frightened dog, no matter how friendly and docile in normal circumstances, can and will act aggressively if he experiences intense fear or feels threatened by a trick-or-treater or Halloween party guest in costume. To avoid placing your dog and Halloween party guests or trick-or-treaters at risk, keep dogs kenneled during events where costumes and masks are present.
- Keep pets restrained and away from open flames used in Halloween candles or Jack-o-Lanterns. A less dangerous alternative for candles involves using a special battery-powered Jack-o-Lantern light or an electric candle, complete with a special effects light bulb that appears to flicker like a candle.
- Do not bring pets trick-or-treating. It can be tempting to show off a dog’s Halloween costume, but a dog will easily become frightened by the Halloween costumes and masks. Trick-or-treaters wearing masks may also have poor visibility, making them more likely to step on or trip over a dog. Trick-or-treaters may also drop potentially toxic chocolate candy, which a dog may pick up and eat without an owner noticing. It’s best to leave the dogs at home while trick-or-treating.
- If a pet is frightened by sudden noises, keep a television or radio on for the pet throughout the evening on Halloween to drown out the sounds of firecrackers and other loud pranks that can upset a dog with a sound-related phobia.
- If trick-or-treaters will be welcomed, keep dogs, cats and other pets crated or otherwise restrained inside the home. Not only can the costumes and Halloween masks frighten pets, but the constant opening and closing of the door also provides an ideal opportunity for a pet to escaped unnoticed among the chaos created by young trick-or-treaters.
- Supervise pets who will be wearing a Halloween costume. Halloween costumes for pets can be bulky and restrictive which can make walking, running, jumping, etc. difficult. Pets can also become entangled in clothing and costumes, resulting in falls and other injuries, so always supervise a costumed cat or dog.
- Keep all candy, especially chocolate, away from pets. Chocolate can be deadly to dogs and serious problems can arise when pets eat other candies (often, wrapper and all).
Halloween can be a fun and spooky holiday for pets and humans alike, and a few simple precautions will help avoid injury or death to dogs, cats, birds and other pets.
Looking to show off a pet's Halloween costume while supporting a local animal welfare organization or animal shelter? Consider hosting a Halloween party for pets!
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