It’s that time of year again, children will soon dress up and go trick-or-treating, and pet parents everywhere become nervous. Halloween can be a frightening experience for pets, who cannot distinguish between friendly humans in costumes and masked strangers.
The noise, flashing lights, strange smells, and other unusual stimuli can create an overwhelming environment for your cat or dog. But that doesn’t mean you always have to keep your pet locked away on this spooky night.
With careful planning and precautions, you can ensure that your cat or dog has a happy – rather than scary – Halloween.
Keep reading for our top tips on keeping your pet safe this All Hallows’ Eve:
Don’t Feed Pets Halloween Treats
While Halloween is about indulging your sweet tooth, keeping Halloween candy away from pets is best. Most Halloween candies and baked goods are toxic to your canine and feline friends and can lead to serious health complications.
The most dangerous ingredients are chocolate, artificial sweeteners (like xylitol), caffeine, nuts, and raisins. If your pet does happen to eat some Halloween candy, don’t panic. Instead, get your pet to a vet clinic in New Hamburg immediately. Most instances of chocolate poisoning can be treated with quick action.
Prevent Your Pet from Halloween Stress and Anxiety
For most pets, the Halloween festive is more stressful than enjoyable. The combination of their instinct to avoid danger blended and new experiences can instill stress and anxiety. This can lead to behaviours like chewing furniture or hiding under bedsheets.
While you shouldn’t keep your pet caged away in fear of the outside world, you can help ensure that they don’t experience any unnecessary stress or anxiety. Try to keep your pet indoors as much as possible on Halloween night. This will help them avoid any mishaps caused by the higher foot traffic and strange noises.
Also, ensure your furry fellow has a safe space to retreat to and toys to play with. A quiet room far from the noisy area is ideal for keeping your pet on October 31st. Plus, keep your tone and interactions relaxed. This will help your pet stay calm, even in a strange and potentially scary situation.
Keep Your Pet Safe from Halloween Decorations
Pets are curious creatures that love to explore. Even if you think you’ve hidden those frightening decorations from them, pets have an uncanny ability to find even the most hidden of spots.
Many of the materials used in Halloween decorations are dangerous. If your pet ends up chewing on the decorations and falls ill, you may need to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Also, keep your Halloween décor out of your pet’s reach. Lit candles and jack-o-lanterns are dangerous because your pet might knock them, setting your home on fire or burning themselves.
Be Careful With Your Pet’s Halloween Costume
Be extra careful if you dress up your cat or dog for Halloween. Costumes that tie or clip to your pet can be dangerous, especially if they’re not comfortable. If your cat or dog is wriggling and squirming, they might end up harming themselves.
If you decide to dress up your pet, make sure that the costume is comfortable, won’t impede their movement, and is made of safe material. Also, ensure that the outfit is appropriate for their body and fur.
Keep Your Pet’s ID On
Pets can get afraid of all the spooky sights and sounds associated with Halloween. And this may cause them to run away. As such, it’s always good to ensure they don’t escape through an open window or door. Keep their ID tags on them because if something goes awry, you stand the best chance of finding your pet again as soon as possible.