Halloween Tips for Pet Owners

The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing colour, and Halloween is just around the corner!

In my household, Halloween is a big day for us. My kids and I go all out with our costumes, and we trick-or-treat til we drop. There are however a couple of family members who do not rejoice in this day with us – our pets.

Our family pets are not alone in this. What can be a fun day/night for us can be quite stressful for many of our animal companions. It’s a confusing time, and excitement is running high, owners look different, and lots of strangers are approaching their home. There are also hidden dangers for pets around every corner that are sometimes overlooked. Below are some tips and tricks to help ensure a safe and happy Halloween for everyone!

  1. The number one thing you can do to ensure the safety of your pet is to keep them indoors for the evening.
  2. Inside the home, you will want to keep them away from the door. Give them a safe place to go during the festivities. It can be overwhelming with all the visitors you will receive, and this will help keep them calm and ensure they don’t slip out while you’re giving out treats. It is a good idea to make sure your pet has identification on in case they do manage to get out of the house.
  3. Keep Halloween candy out of reach. As we know, chocolate is a big no-no for pets, but many other candies can harm them as well. Some treats (like sugar-free gum) have xylitol in them which is toxic to pets.
  4. If you are putting your pet in a costume, be sure they are supervised. Costumes should be comfortable and should not hinder their ability to breathe, see, smell and get around. While some animals are very tolerant of dressing up, for others it can be extremely stressful.
  5. Keep pets away from lit candles and Jack-o-lanterns. A curious pooch or kitty can be burned and could cause a fire if they knock it over.

From all of us here at Park Road Veterinary Clinic we hope you have a safe and happy Halloween!

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Written by: Jakki Papp, Office Manager