Many folks of all ages look forward to Halloween each year, but what they may forget is that Halloween’s festivities can be stressful and even dangerous for our four-legged friends. Even normally mellow pets can be confused and spooked by strange sounds and sights and unfamiliar people in costumes.
Here are some tips to help keep your four-legged loved ones safe:
1. Keep pets indoors and away from front door.
Have your companion animals stay in a room away from an open door when trick-or-treaters are visiting. Pets can become frightened by the “monsters” and “ghouls” causing them to panic and slip outside.
2. Always make sure your pet has up-to-date identification.
If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar with a current license and/or ID tag on them and a microchip that’s registered with your contact information, will help reunite you with your companion animal.
3. No sweet treats for your furry friend.
Chocolate and other seemingly harmless ingredients can be poisonous to dogs and cats. Put candy where pets can’t get to them and dispose of the wrappers right away. Also, remember that children may not understand why Fluffy can’t share their treats, so use this as a teaching opportunity.
4. Be careful around Jack-o’-lanterns.
Tail wagging is a good thing – unless it’s done around a lit candle! Keep candles and lit carved pumpkins at an appropriate height where your pets can’t knock them over or get burned.
5. Not all pets enjoy dressing up.
A decorative collar is far more comfortable than a costume for your pet. Make sure your pet thinks a costume is as much fun as you do before you dress them up for Halloween.
If you do put your pet in a costume, try it on them before to make sure they are comfortable, check to make sure it will not get wrapped around his or her neck causing choking or get tangled around their legs.
6. Keep glow sticks out of reach.
Glow sticks can help keep children safe while trick-or-treating, but should be kept out of reach from your pets. The liquid inside glow sticks are non-toxic, but can agitate your pet and in some cases, cause your pet to vomit.
7. Leave pets at home, not locked in a vehicle.
Spooky creatures walking by can frighten your pet! Your friendly pet could lash out and become aggressive, so leave them at home where they are safe.
By following these precautions, Halloween can be a fun and safe holiday instead of frightful for pets and people alike!
Via The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services – one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States with six shelters serving approximately 60,000 animals annually and responding to 20,000 emergency calls involving an animal or person in danger. LA Animal Services promotes and protects the health, safety and welfare of animals and people.