Seasonal Scares: What You Need to Know About Halloween Pet Safety
Autumn is the perfect time of year for making memories, and, for many, those memories involve one of the most beloved of American holidays: Halloween! However, this time of year can be fraught with danger for our furry family members, meaning that Halloween pet safety should be a top priority when it comes to enjoying the season with our animal friends.
Stranger Danger
The constantly ringing doorbell, visitors all night long, costumes, masks, and loud noises can cause anxiety in pets and increases the likelihood of an accidental escape. Find a quiet, out of the way place for your pet to relax with their bed and favorite toys ahead of time. Make sure they’re wearing a collar with current ID tags, and, if needed, check that their microchip information has been updated.
Goodies Galore
By now, most pet owners know that chocolate is bad for pets. Unfortunately, chocolate isn’t the only danger lurking in your child’s trick-or-treat bag. The artificial sweetener xylitol (found in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, peanut butter, and more) is extremely toxic to pets and can be fatal if ingested. Candy wrappers are just as tempting and dangerous; they may be easily gobbled up, resulting in choking or intestinal blockage.
Play it safe by keeping all candy and goodies away from your pet. If you’re concerned that your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, please contact us immediately.
More Halloween Pet Safety Tips
When it comes to Halloween pet safety, there are several things to keep in mind, including:
- Popular Halloween decor, such as candles, lit pumpkins, and strings of electric lights, can pose some pretty significant risks to pets. Burns, choking, and electric shock are very real possibilities. Be sure to keep these items out of your pet’s reach.
- Sadly, it’s not unheard of for pets to be stolen or abused during the Halloween season, especially black cats. Take extra precautions this time of year by keeping your pet indoors and under supervision.
- There’s no doubt that a pet in a costume is adorable, but not all pets enjoy wearing clothing. If you want to dress your pet up for Halloween, make sure they’re not uncomfortable in their costume and that it doesn’t restrict their ability to breath, see, eat, drink, and move around. Remove any small parts that can be chewed off and swallowed, and see to it that anything around the neck doesn’t pose a strangulation risk.
Please let us know if you have additional questions or concerns about Halloween pet safety. From your friends at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates, we wish you and your pet a happy and safe Halloween!