Halloween 2017: Here's How To Keep Your Pets Safe

PITTSBURGH, PA - There’s no trick to keeping your pets safe and secure when kids are trick-or-treating on Halloween. Especially when you follow these tips from American Veterinary Medical Foundation and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

• Keep cats and canines away from the candy bars.

Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate, can be very dangerous to pets, and sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol also can be bad for them. Less harmful are Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn, but can cause stomach discomfort. If you suspect your pet has raided the candy dish instead of their dinner bowl and ingested something toxic, immediately call your vet or the ASCPA Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

• Keep pets away from carved jack-o-lanterns.

The reason for this should be obvious: pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. The ASCPA warns that curious kittens are especailly at risk of getting burned or singed by candle flame.

• Be careful with pet costumes.

Some pets get stressed out if they’re dressed up. Be sure your pet tries on the costume before Halloween, and if it seems distressed the costume idea probably should be bagged. For pets that are costumed, make sure the dress-up doesn’t limit your pet’s movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small pieces that can chewed off and present a choking hazard.

• It’s probably best to sequester your pets during trick-or-treating.

Having strangers constantly at your door can make your pet apprehensive, and you don’t want it darting outside while you’re dispensing candy. All but the most social animals probably should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours.

Photo via Pixabay.