Halloween Safety Tips for Pet Parents

With Halloween right around the corner, pet parents need to be extra vigilant to ensure their furry friends stay safe and happy during the festivities. From wacky costumes to spooky decorations and the excitement of trick-or-treaters coming and going, it can be easy for your pet to feel overwhelmed or find themselves in trouble. In this blog, we are sharing our expert advice on how you can keep your pets safe this Howl-O-Ween season!

Treats – Keep Them out of Pets Reach
Remember that not all human food is safe for our pets to consume. Chocolate is very toxic to dogs and cats, and if ingested, can cause severe symptoms or death. Additionally, many candies contain xylitol, a natural alternative to sugar, often used in sugar-free sweets and chewing gum. Xylitol is highly toxic to pets, and even a small amount can cause liver failure or prove to be fatal. To prevent our beloved companions from accidentally ingesting these harmful sweets, keep all candies and chocolates out of their reach. Furthermore, make sure you throw your candy wrappers in the trash when finished to prevent curious pets from ingesting them.

Decorations – Are They Pet-Friendly?
While putting up spooky decorations is a fun way to join the Halloween festivities, it’s important to remember that these chilling ghosts and goblins are novel objects to our pets and can be quite scary to them if not introduced properly. Always allow your pets to explore new things at their own pace and reward them with treats for their bravery. In addition to potentially causing anxiety, some decorations can prove to be hazardous to pets as well. Make sure all decorations are put up securely so they can’t be easily torn down or chewed on by pets, and if you have jack-o-lanterns set out, try using LED candles to prevent fire hazards if a pet knocks one over.

Costumes – Should Your Pet Wear One?
What better way to get your pets in on the Halloween fun than to dress them up in a cute costume? If your pet has never worn a costume before, it’s important to approach it slowly and read their body language as you go. Watch for body cues like flattened ears, yawning, tongue flicks, and startled jumps that may indicate your pet is uncomfortable. Having clothing put on can be very anxiety-inducing for a cat or dog, so never force them to wear something if they seem uncomfortable. Let them smell the costume and get familiar with it before putting it on, and start by only having them wear it for short periods leading up to Halloween night. Be sure to reward them with treats and never scold them for being frightened or trying to wiggle away. If you choose to dress your pet up, pick a costume that won’t limit their mobility or cover their eyes, and try to avoid costumes with dangly bits that could be easily chewed off or ingested.  If you want to get your pet involved without wearing a costume, there are alternatives like Halloween-themed collars, leashes and bandanas that they may feel more comfortable wearing.

Trick or Treating – Staying Safe in The House or on The Streets

In The House – If you are staying home to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, keep your pet’s safety in mind when preparing for Halloween night. How will your pet react to all the excitement of doorbells chiming and strangers approaching? Anxious pets may feel more comfortable being away from all the action in a dedicated, safe space where they can relax. Create a den for them in a quiet room with their favorite bed and toys where they will be safe and unable to escape from the house if they get spooked. Alternatively, leave a bowl of treats on your porch for the trick-or-treaters to prevent the doorbell from ringing and disturbing anxious pets.
On The Streets – If you plan to take your pet trick-or-treating with you, take the proper precautions to keep them safe amidst the hustle and bustle of foot traffic and spooky costumes. Ensure they are fitted with a secure collar or harness, and keep them on a tight lead close to your body while you are out. Attach an up-to-date pet ID tag to their collar before you go so that in the event they get lost in the commotion, they can be quickly returned to you when found. Also, consider having them wear reflective gear while out so that they can be easily spotted in the dark. If you have a particularly anxious dog but still want to take them trick-or-treating, it may be best to take them out earlier in the evening before it gets too dark and the streets become packed with the older trick-or-treaters.

Following our advice, you can ensure your pet has a fun and safe Howl-O-Ween season with you. Stop by your local Feeds’n Needs to pick up supplies like reflective collars and leashes, treats for rewarding bravery and more! While you’re there, why not get a custom pet ID tag made to ensure that you’re ready for the big night! From all of us at Feeds’n Needs, Happy Halloween and stay safe out there!

For more expert advice and fall favorites, check out our other posts!
Top 5 Favourite Pumpkin Products for Fall
How to Pick the Right Harness for Your Dog
Helping Your Dog When You Are Out

Sources:
Tips for a Dog-Friendly Halloween – Dogs Inc
Halloween Safety Tips For Pet Parents – Farm & Pet Place (farmandpetplace.co.uk)
Xylitol Toxicity in Cats & Dogs (sunnyview-vet.com)