With the spooky season just around the corner, it’s important to brush up on some of the most important safety tips for your pets this Halloween. Halloween is an exciting and fun time for the human members of the family, but your pet may not agree, and may need to be watched carefully at this time of the year.
Things to Keep in Mind on Halloween
In the article below, you’ll find information to help you prepare for Halloween with pets in your home. You can use this information to learn more about which potential issues you may encounter with your pet and how to handle them efficiently.
Keep Chocolate Stored
First and foremost, keep all of your chocolate candy away from your pets’ reach. Keep chocolate stored safely, preferably in the refrigerator or on a very high shelf, so there is no risk of your pet ingesting any of it.
Additionally, it is a good idea to keep all types of candy stored and safe from your pets’ reach. Some kinds of candy may contain hidden artificial sweeteners, which can be fatal if consumed in high quantities. Even if your pet doesn’t eat the candy, ingesting the wrappers can potentially cause a fatal blockage of the digestive system as well.
Clean Up Costumes
Getting ready for Halloween can be exciting and fun for you and any children in your household. However, it’s important to make sure you pick up any loose parts of costumes before and after the event, and put away any makeup as well.
Pets may quickly find their way into makeup that is left sitting out on counters. Similarly, they may become interested in costume pieces that could pose a choking hazard for pets who try to swallow loose strings or other items. Keep your pet safe and avoid any Halloween mishaps by putting all of these items away after use.
Secure Indoor Pets
Indoor pets should be carefully secured so they do not run out the door on Halloween. With so many trick-or-treaters coming to your door throughout the night, your pet will have multiple chances to make an escape if no one is watching.
If possible, secure your pet in a crate and then shut him in a room that is away from the chaos of the holiday. If your pet is not able to be crated, secure him in a separate room or bathroom until the trick-or-treaters have finished coming by for the night instead.
Provide Pet-Safe Spaces
The presence of so many strangers at the door is likely to frighten your pet. For this reason, it’s important to give your pet a safe place to go that he feels is his. If your pet is crate trained, the crate can be a perfect secure location for your furry friend.
If your pet is not crate trained, you can still make a safe space for him in your home. Set aside a comfortable corner of an out-of-the-way room with your pet’s bed, blanket, food, water, and some of his favorite toys. He can safely stay in this comfortable spot until Halloween has passed.
Feed Ahead of Time
If you know you’re going to get a lot of trick-or-treaters once the sun goes down, set aside a time to feed and walk your pet ahead of time. This way, your pet will be able to enjoy his food and have a chance to go potty without having to be afraid of strangers in costumes.
This is also an important step if you’re going to be taking your own children trick-or-treating, or if you’ll be going to a party for the evening. Make sure you don’t forget to feed your pet before you go!
Prepare for Fireworks
Depending on where you live, it may be legal to light fireworks at Halloween. If so, you can expect at least one person in your neighborhood to do so. Most pets are afraid of the sound of fireworks, so take time to prepare for this possibility.
Dogs may benefit from the use of a ThunderShirt to provide some pressure therapy if they are afraid of fireworks. Dogs and cats both will be happier with some ambient noise in the room, such as a TV or radio, to help cover up the sound of the fireworks.
Keep These Tips in Mind
With just a little bit of preparation, you can ensure your pets’ safety during Halloween. This fun time of the year may be a stressful experience for your pet, so make sure to pay extra attention to his needs to keep him safe and happy during Halloween.
If you have any further questions or concerns, contact our animal hospital for more information. We’ll be able to help you figure out the right solutions for your pet’s individual needs based on his specific health and wellness.