Howl-o-ween Precautions for Pets

Halloween represents a time of fun and festivity. Candy corn, costumed kids and carved pumpkins set the scene. But Halloween can be an incredibly frightful and stressing occasion for our pets.

It is one of the key times that pets get lost and some suffer from eating those yummy treats that the kids bring home. Extra caution should be taken to protect our furry friends from Halloween hazards. As a pet owner, you know your pet best, but here are some points to bear in mind to keep your pet safe this Halloween:

Use decorations, such as pumpkins, fake cobwebs and candles with caution. If ingested, many decorations can cause your pet gastrointestinal upset and even result in intestinal blockage. The ink used in some brightly colored decorations, like orange streamers and paper pumpkins, is toxic to many animals. Keep curious noses and playful paws away from lighted candles and jack-o-lanterns. Wagging tails and frightened cats dashing through the house can easily tip over a candle or carved pumpkin, causing burns or even a house fire.

Keep candy away from your pet. Many pets have a sweet tooth, but, no matter how well they perform “tricks” you should never give them candy “treats.” Keep bowls of goodies safely stored out of your critters reach. Any change in an animal’s diet can cause digestive upset. Chocolate can be toxic to many animals including dogs, cats, and ferrets. Candies and gum containing the sweetener xylitol can create a sudden drop in blood sugar for pets, resulting in depression, incoordination and seizures. And, it’s not just the candy that’s harmful to your pet - - wrappers, lollipop sticks and plastic parts can get stuck in your pet’s digestive track and make them ill or cause death. Also, make sure to warn children not to share their goodies with the family pet.

Not all costumes are created equal. Some pets enjoy being decked out in Halloween attire, but others find it to be stressful and downright despise it. If you are going to dress your pet in a costume make sure it doesn’t restrict their movement, hearing or ability to breath, bark or see. Confining costumes can cause stress and even injury. Be sure to check elastic openings carefully for proper fit and avoid the use of rubber bands and safety pins. Make sure no dangling pieces can be chewed off or cause an animal to choke. And most importantly, never leave your costumed pet unsupervised.

Even the friendliest pet can be affected by all the extra activity Halloween night. Strange looking people and squealing children can cause your pet to feel threatened or uneasy. The door bell ringing over and over again can drive a dog nuts. Pets that are normally social and relaxed may become difficult to handle, aggressive and even bite. Be sure to take extra caution before letting strangers near your pet.

Decide the best place for your pet prior to the festivities. Will they stay in the living room with you, will they do better in a crate or closed into a room they feel safe in? Use your knowledge of your pet to make the best decision. For many pets the best way to spend trick-or-treat visiting hours is resting in a secure area within the house with their favorite toy, comfortable bedding or inside their crate where they won’t have the chance to spooked by strangers or dart outdoors. Turning on a radio will provide soothing background music and minimize outside noise which can agitate them.

Frequently-opened doors provide a great opportunity for pets to run out of the house unnoticed. Make sure your pet has proper identification such as a collar with ID tag. If for any reason they escape and become lost there is a greater chance they will be returned to you if they are clearly identified with a tag.

As the fun of Halloween surrounds us, make sure to include your pets. With a little caution, Howl-o-ween can be a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone.