Howl-o-ween Safety Tips

Did someone say spooky szn? Keep your four-legged friends safe this howl-o-ween and check out these tips & tricks! Sorry, no treats. 😉

 

  • Curious canines don’t know the bowl by the door or your child’s candy stash isn’t for them. Keep your pets safe and make sure all candy is out of their reach. Chocolate and sugar-free candies containing xylitol are especially toxic to pets; if you suspect your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, call your veterinarian right away.
  • What’s Halloween without a jack o’lantern or two?! These goofy grinned pumpkins might look innocent enough, but if you use a candle in them, they can quickly turn into a fire hazard. Take extra caution to prevent pets from accidentally knocking over any pumpkins.
  • Thinking about getting your pup in the spooky spirit with a costume? Make sure there are no small or loose pieces that your dog can chew off and ingest. It’s also important to make sure the costume actually fits – it should not limit your pet’s movement, hearing, eyesight, breathing or barking. If your dog appears uncomfortable, consider a festive bandana instead!
  • Between trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell and all the cool costumes, Halloween can be a stressful time for pets. If your dog gets anxious, keep them in a separate room away from the front door. Tossing them a treat like a stuffed Kong or rawhide chew can also help to occupy their time.
  • Wires and electric cords are everywhere, all the time; during holidays when folks decorate, there are even more. If your pet gets ahold of an electric cord, they can be cut, burned, severely shocked and/or cause a fire. Keep everyone safe, and make sure they’re out of reach.
  • Have you ever looked at a glow stick and thought “I want to taste that?” Yeah, us neither. Our pets on the other hand don’t understand that these toys are fun to look at, but not to eat. While most are non-toxic, they have an extremely bitter taste. Dogs that decide to taste test glow sticks typically begin drooling and running around the house, upset by the “flavor.” If this happens, give your pet a small amount of milk to help get rid of the taste.
  • The scariest part about Halloween with a pet? Door darting. If you aren’t extra careful opening the door for ghosts and goblins, your dog could disappear! Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with proper identification, including their dog license, and/or is microchipped. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, these precautions could be the only thing that gets them home.