Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets
Although Halloween will probably be a little different this year, it’s important to keep your pets safe no matter how you decide to celebrate. Even if you’re staying in with a spooky movie or joining a Zoom costume party, you’ll still want to keep these tips in mind to make sure you don’t have any real scares.
Keep pets indoors
Los Angeles County has urged residents to avoid trick-or-treating this year, so you probably won’t receive any visitors at your door if you’re local. But there may be other areas where traditional or socially distant trick-or-treating is still taking place. If you think you’ll be opening your door a lot during the evening, you may want to keep your pet in a closed bedroom or crate so they don’t accidentally slip out. And double check that your pet is wearing an ID tag and their microchip information is up-to-date, just in case they do get out.
Costumes
Since there’s a good chance you’ll be celebrating Halloween at home, there might be even more of a temptation to dress up your pet in a costume and show them off on Instagram. But remember, not every animal enjoys wearing clothes. Never force your pet to wear anything they’re uncomfortable with. If your pet doesn’t mind dressing up, make sure their costume fits them well and doesn’t hinder their ability to breathe, move, or see. If you notice your animal displaying any signs of discomfort or stress related to their costume, remove it.
Pumpkins
There are lots of pet foods and treats that contain pumpkin, but you should avoid feeding your pet raw pumpkin while you’re carving your jack-o-lantern. Pumpkins can easily grow bacteria that are harmful to pets, and raw pumpkin can be difficult to digest. If you want your pet to experience all the flavors of pumpkin season, opt for one of the many cooked treat recipes you can find online or any commercially made pumpkin treats from your pet store. And for a final note on pumpkins, avoid singed fur and whiskers by keeping your jack-o-lantern, and its lit candle, out of reach. Or, better yet, use flameless candles.
Candy
Even if there aren’t trick-or-treaters coming to your door this year, you might have purchased some of that Halloween candy for yourself. Make sure you keep all Halloween candy away from your pets. Chocolate is toxic for dogs and cats, and even candy that doesn’t have chocolate in it can cause digestive upset. Additionally, keep in mind that some people may be leaving out treats for socially distant trick-or-treaters. Always walk your dog on a leash and keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t eat anything that could be dangerous. We strongly advise against leaving candy out due to the potential danger to neighborhood pets and the possibility of attracting wildlife.
Have a spooky & safe Halloween!
