Top 5 Halloween Safety Tips for Dogs and Cats
Halloween is the one night of the year where candy indulgence is encouraged. In order to achieve the goal of a successful bounty, children take to the street and for one night in Vancouver, Richmond, the lower mainland, and all over the world door to door foot traffic is the busiest it will be all year. But for our pets, this night of fun and indulgence can be an evening of heightened anxiety and stress. To help make the night a little easier on our dogs and cats, Jet Pet Resort has developed 5 quick and easy reminders or tips to help make sure Halloween is made a little easier on your pet.
REMINDER #1: Update Collars & ID’s
Pro Tip #1 – Double check your collars, leashes and ID tags.
Take caution and keep pets indoors with you, or escort them outside on a leash if you plan on including your pet in neighbourhood festivities. Sudden noises and strange-looking costumes can also spook your pet, causing them to run away. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to adorn your pet with a collar equipped with current and easy to read identification tags.
REMINDER #2: It’s a noisy night
Pro Tip #2 – For everyone’s safety, it’s best to keep animals inside a bedroom or family room, away from all the commotion
Dogs and cats can become nervous and panicky on Halloween due to the continuous ringing of the doorbell, endless squeals and chatter from the street, and small fireworks that are set off. Put animals in a secure room during trick-or-treat time. Cats can quickly slip out the front door, and dogs sometimes try to bite unsuspecting kids, thinking that they’re intruders.
REMINDER #3: Pet costumes – Look for hidden dangers
Pro Tip #3 – Never leave a pet unattended while wearing a costume
Pets can become tangled in elaborate, tight-fitting costumes with strings, ties, belts and sashes. Difficulty in mobility can lead to injury, including strangulation. If you choose to dress up your pet, outfit your dog or cat with a simple approach. Small (or large) parts of a costume can become chewed and ingested and can in turn potentially lead to foreign body ingestion which can be life-threatening to your pet.
REMINDER #4: Halloween decorations and fire hazards
Pro Tip #4 Err on the side of caution while decorating and choose pet-safe products
If you like to decorate your home in the Halloween spirit, take into consideration what you’re putting on display and where the decorations will be placed. Easy-to-reach decorations – or candles – can be eaten or knocked over, potentially leading to choking, foreign body ingestion, electrical shock, burns, and even a household fire. For more information, take a look at PetMD’s list of hazardous Halloween decor.
REMINDER #5: Candy and chocolate are toxic treats
Pro Tip #5 – Keep the chocolate & candy away from your pet
Candy and chocolate are never good for dogs or cats and on Halloween, there is an increased chance that Fluffy and Fido may consume treats meant for tricksters. That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for your dog. Chocolate in all forms – especially dark or baking chocolate – can be very dangerous for dogs. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center.
Howl-o-Ween at Jet Pet Resort!
We hope that if you decide to include your pets in your Halloween festivities, that you will take advantage of these tips and help ensure a safer Halloween for all. And as a reminder, Jet Pet Resort is an excellent alternative for an overnight stay this year! Guests are encouraged to wear their favourite costume to our “Howl-o-Ween” doggie party and all guests will receive their very own goodie bag!
Also, read our 10 Tip Guide On Fall Dog Care!