Pet Safety Guide for a Fun and Fear-Free Halloween
Halloween is a fun-filled time for costumed ghosts and goblins, but the spooky sights and sounds can be frightening for our furry friends. Your pet might be a Halloween pro who enjoys getting in on the fun, but Halloween dangers for pets can be lurking where you least expect them.
In this pet Halloween safety guide, our team at Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital shares pet safety tips so you and your animal companions can have a pet-friendly Halloween.
Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween
Practicing Halloween pet safety should be on every pet family’s to-do list this season. Here are some Halloween tips for pet owners to put into practice:
Candy is for kids, not pets. Make sure your trick-or-treaters know that sharing the loot is strictly off-limits. Chocolate, xylitol (a sugar substitute), and raisins commonly found in Halloween treats are extremely toxic to pets. In addition to the candy itself, ingesting candy wrappers can cause intestinal blockages in pets. Keep treat bowls out of reach of pets before, during, and after Halloween.
Decorate safely. Strings of lights and fake webs can entangle pets or cause bigger issues if chewed on. Tiny accents like plastic spiders and googly eyes are easily ingested by curious pets. Protecting pets during Halloween doesn’t mean you can’t decorate. Just make sure your Halloween décor is pet-friendly by placing it out of paw’s reach.
Jack-o-lanterns and candles. It wouldn’t be Halloween without carving pumpkins, but lit candles are Halloween pet hazards that can burn those precious whiskers or become a serious fire hazard if toppled over. Use LED candles in your jack-o-lanterns and throughout your Halloween décor.
Choose a comfy pet costume. If your pet enjoys being part of the fun, choose a comfortable costume that fits properly, is lightweight and breathable, and doesn’t obstruct your pet’s vision, hearing, or breathing. Sometimes simpler is better: a festive bandana or a Halloween-themed cape will do the trick!
More Halloween Tips for Pet Owners
Here are some other helpful hints for optimal pet safety during Halloween:
- Make sure your pet is microchipped and collar and ID tags are current. Use a reflective leash and collar if your pets are joining you for trick-or-treat.
- We recommend keeping pets indoors in a quiet room away from the action, especially if you have a pet who experiences anxiety around new people or strange noises. Include a pet bed, food, water, pet-friendly treats, and a litter box.
- Hand out candy from your sidewalk or driveway so those little witches and superheroes don’t have to ring your doorbell.
Protecting Pets During Halloween and Beyond
Our compassionate team at Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital wants you and your pets to have a safe and happy Howl-O-Ween! Please contact us at (916) 726-2334 if you’d like more tips on avoiding Halloween pet hazards or if it’s time for your pet’s checkup.