How to Keep Your Pets Safe on Halloween
Check that your pet's IDs are on the pet (and that microchips are in place)., Do not feed Halloween treats to any pets., Make sure that any Halloween plants, fruits or vegetables you've chosen to put on display are not toxic., Avoid using costumes...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Check that your pet's IDs are on the pet (and that microchips are in place).
Also ensure that ID information is up-to-date with your latest cellphone number, address and email address.
If your pet does go missing, this makes it easier to return the pet. -
Step 2: Do not feed Halloween treats to any pets.
Sorry, treats are not allowed.Treats are for boys and girls, not cats and dogs.
Chocolate, especially, is a candy that can poison your pet, and many other treats are too high in sugar or could pose a choking hazard, such as marshmallows.
Xylitol and gum, ingredients of some candies, are dangerous for pets.It is best to avoid giving any Halloween treats to pets.
After all, they don't know it's a special occasion and are simply happily living the day as any other, by being around you.
Be sure to keep all treats out of reach from pets.
Put them up high, behind cupboard doors, etc.
Explain to children how important it is that Fido or Kitty cannot come across their treats stash and start nibbling.
Ask children not to give treats to pets and to put their treats where pets cannot find them. , Pumpkin and corn decorations are nontoxic, but if eaten, may give your pet a mild stomachache.
Read How to stop your dog from eating your plants for some tips on plant safety with canine pets. , Many pets find the whole costume dressing upsetting and strange.
It's an anthropomorphic desire to put pets in costumes and doesn't make the pet happy.
Unless you've trained the animal from an early age to wear clothing, it's best not done.
Try it on the day before, to see what reaction you get––if the pet behaves in an annoyed or frustrated way, the costume is not suitable.
If using a costume, ensure that it cannot harm the animal in any way.
Dangling pieces can cause a pet to trip, hang or choke; fabrics can be too hot, constricting or itchy; costumes can cause injuries you haven't foreseen just by dint of restricting the animal's movements. , If your pets usually roam around the front yard or entrance areas, keep them in the backyard or inside the house for the evening.
That way, you will avoid scaring the pets or having excited or scared pets rushing at trick-and-treaters and frightening the children.
This also prevents any potential for bites from your pets.
In this case, ensure that your pet cannot get to the front door when the trick-and-treaters call.
A quiet room somewhere at the back of your house is a good choice for the night.If your backyard is not secure, do not leave your pet there.
Some pranksters take pets on Halloween night if access is easy.
It is also a good idea to keep cats indoors before, during and after Halloween, especially black cats, to prevent pranksters from taking them., If you've chosen to keep your people-loving pet at the front door, do not stop paying attention to it.
If the pet seems unhappy, scared or bothered, remove it to somewhere safe.
Realize that this is risky, owing to the fact that people will look unusual in their costumes, and many trick-and-treaters are liable to be loud, shouting and overly excited.
This could send a pet into a frenzy of worry or excitement.
Leash the dog near the door, so that it cannot get past you in the doorway. , Most treats are unhealthy for pets, as discussed above. , Wires and cords must be a far distance from pets.
They should also be taped down or put out of reach to prevent tripping from trick-or-treaters so this safety precaution serves both people and pets. , For example, while carved pumpkins are festive, if you choose to add a candle be careful that pets cannot knock it over and hurt themselves or start a fire.
Scented candles are toxic for indoor birds.Rubber items can present choking hazards, fake cobwebs/strung lights can entangle animals and wildlife and glowsticks and fake blood can be poisonous to pets that try to lick or chew these substances., If your dog hates crowds, people it doesn't know or flashing lights, loud noises and general hubbub, do not take your dog trick-or-treating.
Anything could cause such a dog to react in fear and either take flight and run away or possibly bite someone.
Taking your dog should only be done, if at all, in quiet, small neighborhood trick-and-treating exercises.
In busy, noisy and crowded streets, this is not acceptable. , Do not take your dog trick-or-tricking without this.
You must be able to restrain your dog quickly and effectively. , If you're going onto people's properties, consider having someone hold the dog at the gate for you, or ask the owners ahead if it's okay to bring your dog into the yard.
Since this is an onerous thing to do, it may be easiest leaving Fido at home.
You could tag team with a friend; one holds the dog, the other collects the treats.
Or, ask an older sibling or a parent to come along and hold the dog for you. , The dog's senses will soon get overloaded and will need a break from all the excitement. -
Step 3: Make sure that any Halloween plants
-
Step 4: fruits or vegetables you've chosen to put on display are not toxic.
-
Step 5: Avoid using costumes on pets unless your pet is accustomed to being dressed.
-
Step 6: Consider placing your pet's out of the way for the evening.
-
Step 7: Keep an eye on your pet.
-
Step 8: Do not allow trick-and-treaters to give the pet treats.
-
Step 9: Keep electrical wires out of the reach of pets.
-
Step 10: Take care with decorations.
-
Step 11: Be guided by the temperament of your dog.
-
Step 12: Ensure that the dog is on a harness or leash.
-
Step 13: Be aware that many people will not appreciate a dog being brought along.
-
Step 14: Avoid walking the dog for too long amid crowds and Halloween decorations.
Detailed Guide
Also ensure that ID information is up-to-date with your latest cellphone number, address and email address.
If your pet does go missing, this makes it easier to return the pet.
Sorry, treats are not allowed.Treats are for boys and girls, not cats and dogs.
Chocolate, especially, is a candy that can poison your pet, and many other treats are too high in sugar or could pose a choking hazard, such as marshmallows.
Xylitol and gum, ingredients of some candies, are dangerous for pets.It is best to avoid giving any Halloween treats to pets.
After all, they don't know it's a special occasion and are simply happily living the day as any other, by being around you.
Be sure to keep all treats out of reach from pets.
Put them up high, behind cupboard doors, etc.
Explain to children how important it is that Fido or Kitty cannot come across their treats stash and start nibbling.
Ask children not to give treats to pets and to put their treats where pets cannot find them. , Pumpkin and corn decorations are nontoxic, but if eaten, may give your pet a mild stomachache.
Read How to stop your dog from eating your plants for some tips on plant safety with canine pets. , Many pets find the whole costume dressing upsetting and strange.
It's an anthropomorphic desire to put pets in costumes and doesn't make the pet happy.
Unless you've trained the animal from an early age to wear clothing, it's best not done.
Try it on the day before, to see what reaction you get––if the pet behaves in an annoyed or frustrated way, the costume is not suitable.
If using a costume, ensure that it cannot harm the animal in any way.
Dangling pieces can cause a pet to trip, hang or choke; fabrics can be too hot, constricting or itchy; costumes can cause injuries you haven't foreseen just by dint of restricting the animal's movements. , If your pets usually roam around the front yard or entrance areas, keep them in the backyard or inside the house for the evening.
That way, you will avoid scaring the pets or having excited or scared pets rushing at trick-and-treaters and frightening the children.
This also prevents any potential for bites from your pets.
In this case, ensure that your pet cannot get to the front door when the trick-and-treaters call.
A quiet room somewhere at the back of your house is a good choice for the night.If your backyard is not secure, do not leave your pet there.
Some pranksters take pets on Halloween night if access is easy.
It is also a good idea to keep cats indoors before, during and after Halloween, especially black cats, to prevent pranksters from taking them., If you've chosen to keep your people-loving pet at the front door, do not stop paying attention to it.
If the pet seems unhappy, scared or bothered, remove it to somewhere safe.
Realize that this is risky, owing to the fact that people will look unusual in their costumes, and many trick-and-treaters are liable to be loud, shouting and overly excited.
This could send a pet into a frenzy of worry or excitement.
Leash the dog near the door, so that it cannot get past you in the doorway. , Most treats are unhealthy for pets, as discussed above. , Wires and cords must be a far distance from pets.
They should also be taped down or put out of reach to prevent tripping from trick-or-treaters so this safety precaution serves both people and pets. , For example, while carved pumpkins are festive, if you choose to add a candle be careful that pets cannot knock it over and hurt themselves or start a fire.
Scented candles are toxic for indoor birds.Rubber items can present choking hazards, fake cobwebs/strung lights can entangle animals and wildlife and glowsticks and fake blood can be poisonous to pets that try to lick or chew these substances., If your dog hates crowds, people it doesn't know or flashing lights, loud noises and general hubbub, do not take your dog trick-or-treating.
Anything could cause such a dog to react in fear and either take flight and run away or possibly bite someone.
Taking your dog should only be done, if at all, in quiet, small neighborhood trick-and-treating exercises.
In busy, noisy and crowded streets, this is not acceptable. , Do not take your dog trick-or-tricking without this.
You must be able to restrain your dog quickly and effectively. , If you're going onto people's properties, consider having someone hold the dog at the gate for you, or ask the owners ahead if it's okay to bring your dog into the yard.
Since this is an onerous thing to do, it may be easiest leaving Fido at home.
You could tag team with a friend; one holds the dog, the other collects the treats.
Or, ask an older sibling or a parent to come along and hold the dog for you. , The dog's senses will soon get overloaded and will need a break from all the excitement.
About the Author
Ann Palmer
Experienced content creator specializing in home improvement guides and tutorials.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: