Halloween Safety Tips - Top 10 Safety Tips for Pet Parents

It’s almost the spookiest night of the year! The Special Pals recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying “trick or treat!” all the way to November 1.

No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Fido and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. If you do suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can make your furry friend have an upset stomach if they nibble on them.

Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive an electrical shock.

A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a little pumpkin over and cause a house fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by a candle.

Dress-up can be fun or a big mess for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it. For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” let them wear a bandanna.

If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow.

Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.  Or you can sit outside on the porch and leave your furry friend safely inside.

When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside. If they do that anyway you may wish to sit outside during the peak hours of trick-or-treaters.

Wear ID Tags!. Make sure your dog or cat always has proper identification on.  If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or registered microchip can increase the chances the he or she will be found and returned to you.