5 Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pet
Halloween is one of; if not the busiest nights of the year for home visiting and foot traffic in residential neighbourhoods across Vancouver, Richmond, and the lower mainland. Homes are decorated, children are all dressed up for trick or treating, and for one night of the year, candy indulgence is encouraged.
But for your pet, this can be a night of increased stress and anxiety. Jet Pet Resort has compiled some quick tips to help keep your pet a little safer this Halloween.
Tip #1 – Pet Costumes – Look For Hidden Dangers
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.
REMEMBER: Never leave a pet unattended while wearing a costume. 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.
Tip #2 – Halloween Decorations and Fire Hazards
If you like to decorate your home in the Halloween spirit, take into consideration what you’re putting on a 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 and even burns and a household fire.
REMEMBER: Err on the side of caution while decorating and choose pet-safe products.
Tip #3 – It’s a Noisy Night
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.
REMEMBER: For everyone’s safety, it’s best to keep animals inside a bedroom or family room, away from all the commotion.
Tip #4 – Candy and Chocolate Are Toxic Treats
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
REMEMBER: Keep the candy away from your pet.
Tip #5 – Update Collars & ID’s Just In Case
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 and current and easy to read identification tags.
REMEMBER: Double check your collars, leashes and ID tags.
So there you have a few useful tips to help make your Halloween a little safer for your pet this year. Keep in mind, that Jet Pet Resort is an excellent alternative for a stay over for your pet this year. We will be holding our own Howl-O-Ween and guests are encouraged to wear their favourite costume. All guests will receive their very own goodie bag too!
Also, read our Fall Dog Care Guide