Main menu

5 Ways to keep pet safe on Halloween

20th Sep 2015

Halloween is a fun holiday for pet owners since you can dress up your furry friend in a cool costume that showcases his or her personality. However, it can also be a frightening day for pets since the doorbell is constantly ringing, you are opening and closing the door, and you may have strangers coming through your home. Keep your pet safe with these important tips.

Give Them a Safe Space

pic

Image via Flickr by e_haya

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just opening your door for trick-or-treaters, it’s smart to keep your pet away from the commotion in a quiet room. You can put his or her favorite bed and blanket in there, since familiar smells will induce calm in your pet even when the doorbell sounds every five minutes. Provide food, water, and maybe a few treats.

Even if friends are stopping by who know your pet, costumes and masks can be very frightening to a dog or cat. Don’t take your dog trick-or-treating, since he or she might become frightened and bite someone or break off the leash.

Avoid Toxins

Chocolate is very poisonous to both dogs and cats, and even fruity candy can cause stomach upset in pets. Keep the treats away from pets in cupboards or sealed containers so they don’t accidentally ingest something that could make them sick. If your pet accidentally eats something he or she shouldn’t, visit Kuddly for instant access to licensed vets for medical advice.

Safe Costumes

pic2

Image via Flickr by Trish Hamme

Halloween costumes for pets can be fun for photo ops, but be sure to use appropriate options that won’t pose a threat. If your pet seems unhappy while wearing a costume, remove it immediately. Signs of distress include a tucked tail, flattened ears, or growling or hissing. Getting bitten or scratched by a frightened animal isn’t worth it. If your pet is comfortable wearing clothes, choose a costume that won’t restrict movement, and never put a mask on your pet or add any material that could impede their vision or hearing.

Keep Pets Inside

Even if you typically let your cat roam outdoors, keep him or her inside during Halloween. People sometimes do strange things during this spooky holiday, so you will want to know that your kitty is safe from harm. The strangers who walk the streets wearing costumes can cause stress to even the friendliest of pets, so keeping them indoors is a better option for safety and peace of mind.

Update ID and Tags

If your beloved animal companion slips out when you open the door for a trick-or-treater, you will want to make sure you have every opportunity to reunite with him or her. Keeping your pets’ tags up-to-date with phone numbers, vet contact information, and other details will make it easier for someone to contact you. You should also make sure that your pets have their collars and tags on before you start the festivities.

Keeping pets safe is a top priority every day, but is especially important on Halloween when stress levels could be higher than usual.

Comments are closed.