We all love to celebrate Halloween with spooky decorations, crazy costumes and tantalizing treats. While enjoying all the holiday has to offer, make sure your pets stay healthy and safe with these tips:
NO TRICKS, NO TREATS! While it might be tempting to share your cauldron of candy with your furry friends, remember that many substances in the confections can be toxic to pets. Chocolate, dark and baker’s in particular, is dangerous to both cats and dogs. Many candies also contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can prove hazardous to pets. So, skip the sweet treats and give them extra hugs and kisses instead. If you do suspect that your pet has ingested something poisonous, call your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

GUARD THE GOURDS Although fall decorations such as pumpkins, hay and corn aren’t toxic per se, they can cause tummy upset and intestinal blockage if consumed. So, keep decorations away from curious canines and cats.
WATCH FOR WIRES Lights and moving lawn figures sure make for a spooky scene, but exposed electrical wires are a definite hazard to our four-legged friends. Chewing on wires can cause burns and even electrical shock, so make sure any wires are kept out of reach!
LOSE THE LANTERNS We’re all for Jack-O-Lanterns, but using real candles to light those ghoulish grins isn’t just a fire hazard. Playful pets who knock over flickering flames could easily get burned. Try battery powered candles instead!
BE COSTUME CONSCIOUS Dressing up is lots of fun for us two-leggers, but many pets find costumes stressful. If your pets don’t enjoy the experience, please just let them be their beautiful, unadorned selves. If you DO have pets who love to don a disguise, make sure that it fits well and doesn’t restrict their movement or ability to breathe, meow or bark. Also, be sure to remove any small, dangling parts that can be chewed off or become dangerously entangled.
DITCH DOOR DUTY Many of our pets love to greet visitors while others strive to keep them at bay. Whether your pet likes to welcome or deter, it’s probably best to keep them away from the door as trick-or-treaters canvas the neighborhood. Not only can the barrage of strangers cause stress and confusion, but frequent door opening gives frightened or overly excited pets the perfect opportunity to bolt and become lost. Keep your pets in another room for the evening and supply them with plenty of comfy bedding, toys and water to make their “time out” pleasant and comfortable.
ALWAYS ID Pets should ALWAYS be properly identified with microchips, collars and tags. If they should become lost, these simple and inexpensive measures can make the difference in keeping them out of the shelter and in your arms!