How to Keep Your Pets Safe This Halloween

Halloween is the trick-or-treat night when candies abound and many people may be entering your property. Whether your pet is at home or you've chosen to walk Fido while trick and treating, you must take extra safety precautions––there is an increase in pet admissions to veterinary clinics during Halloween, so it pays to be cautious.

1.    Check that your pet's IDs are on the pet (and that microchips are in place). Also, ensure that ID information is up-to-date with your latest phone number and address. If your pet does go missing, this makes it easier to return the pet.

2.    Do not feed Halloween treats to any pets. Chocolate and Xylitol (found in things such as gum) are especially poisonous to your pet, and many other treats are too high in sugar or could pose a choking hazard. 

3.    Avoid using costumes on pets unless your pet is accustomed to being dressed. If using a costume, ensure that it cannot harm the animal in any way. Dangling pieces can cause a pet to trip, hang or choke; fabrics can be too hot, or costumes can cause injuries you haven't foreseen just by restricting the animal's movements.

4.    Consider placing your pets out of the way for the evening. If your pets usually roam around the front yard or entrance areas, keep them in the backyard or inside the house for the evening. That way, you will avoid scaring the pets or having excited or scared pets rushing at trick-and-treaters and frightening the children. This also prevents any potential for bites from your pets. Ensure that your pet cannot get to the front door when the trick and treaters call. A quiet room somewhere at the back of your house is a good choice for the night.

5.    Take care with decorations. For example, while carved pumpkins are festive if you choose to add a candle be careful that pets cannot knock it over and hurt themselves or start a fire.

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