From costumes to candy, Halloween can be a tricky time for pets. There are lots of hidden dangers for both cats and dogs on October 31st. Here are some important pet safety tips to keep in mind while you enjoy the festivities together.
Five Halloween Pet Safety Tips
1: Keep Candy Away from Pets
Most people know that chocolate is toxic to pets, but it’s not the only kind of candy that can be dangerous. Candy with raisins, nuts, or xylitol can be poisonous, too. Keep all candy out of reach of pets, and make sure that pets can’t get into the trash. When you’re walking your dog after Halloween, keep a close eye out for discarded candy or wrappers. If a dog swallows a candy wrapper, it could cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage.
2: Choose Safe Costumes
Halloween costumes are fun, but they aren’t always very well made. Bits and bobs and dangly things can easily fall off—or get chewed off—and swallowed by pets. Loose threads or wig hairs can cause all sorts of problems, so choose your costume carefully. The same goes for pet costumes, too. And while we’re on the subject, never force your pet to wear a costume. No matter how adorable those Instagram photos would turn out, it’s not worth causing your pet anxiety.
3: Stay Alert If You Take Your Pet Out
If you plan to take your dog trick-or-treating with you, play it safe. Make sure they’re on a leash and under your control. You’ll have to watch out for dropped candy, dashing children, cars on the road, moving Halloween decorations, and more. If you’re going out after dark, we recommend wearing a headlamp to keep your hands free. And if your dog seems reluctant to continue walking, or if they get startled by a sudden scream or a dancing skeleton, it’s best to head back home.
4: No Glow Sticks!
Steer clear of glow sticks, especially if you have a pet that likes to chew. The liquid inside of glow sticks and glow jewelry is poisonous to pets. Ingesting it could cause retching, vomiting, and gagging. The liquid can also irritate a pet’s skin, mouth, and eyes. And it’s not just dogs that you have to watch out for—if a glow stick leaks and gets on a cat’s fur, they’ll try to groom themselves and end up swallowing it.
5: Don’t Let Your Pet Get Loose
Keep pets safe in their crates or behind closed doors if you’re expecting trick-or-treaters. Children are unpredictable, and a strange costume or loud noise could frighten even the calmest pet. If a pet gets spooked and runs out the door, they might not be able to find their way back home. To stay on the safe side, make sure your pet has identification on their collar as well as a microchip ID.
Happy Halloween to Our Neighbors in Gilbert and Chandler!
The team at Anasazi Animal Clinic is here for you if your pet gets into any trouble this Halloween. But we also love seeing pictures of cute pets and cute pet costumes! If your dog or cat lets you dress them up this year, don’t forget to show us the pictures next time you visit. Just give us a call at 480-497-0505 or send us a message to schedule a wellness exam for your pet.
Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 10/09/2023.