Can you believe it’s already that time of year again!? Time to break out the costumes, load up on sugar, and prepare for the onslaught of holiday craziness! Halloween is, of course, exciting for candy givers and trick-or-treaters alike. Our furry friends, however, might not feel the same way. If your pet has anxiety or ingests something he or she shouldn’t have, Halloween can be rather unpleasant for them! Here are some things you should avoid to keep your pet safe this Halloween:
- Keep candy out of reach from pets.
Halloween candies may be a treat for any kid in costume, but they can be lethal for dogs. Chocolates—especially baking or dark chocolate—can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Candies that contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, subsequent loss of coordination, and seizures. Keep that candy bowl well out of reach from curious pets!
- Keep your pets inside on Halloween.
Even if your dog loves being outdoors, don’t take any chances on Halloween. Your dog may become anxious or spooked by the influx of folks in and around your neighborhood. Worse, some pranksters tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. If you decide to take your pet trick-or-treating, be sure to keep them on a leash with an ID tag on their collar.
- Keep pets away from the door.
If your pets are inside, keep them in a contained area that is away from your front door. You may be opening your door many times throughout the night to greet trick-or-treaters. Not only may your pet become spooked by the odd costumes and shouts for treats, they may try and make a speedy getaway! Plus, if your pet isn’t particularly fond of children or strangers, that’s all the more reason to keep them away.
- Keep decor out of reach from pets.
While keeping candy away from your pet may seem like common sense, you may not realize that decorative pumpkins can cause harm as well. Pumpkins and corn are relatively non-toxic, but they can cause gastrointestinal upset when eaten in large quantities. They can also cause intestinal blockage if your pets swallow large pieces at a time.
- Don’t forget to safety check your pet’s costume.
Though there isn’t anything wrong with wanting to dress up your pet for Halloween, decide on a costume that isn’t annoying or unsafe. Make sure that your pet’s costume will not restrict his or her movement and breathing. Your pet should still be able to see, hear, and bark/meow clearly while wearing the costume. Some pets find costumes stressful altogether. Don’t give your pet anxiety just for the Instagram pic! If your pet hates costumes, a festive bandana should do the trick.