Do you plan on getting your pet into the spirit of Halloween this year? Halloween can be a spooky night, but that does not mean it has to be scary for your pet. We have a few safety tips to help keep your pet safe and spook-free.
Candy
It is very important to avoid giving your pets any Halloween candy. Chocolate, in any form, is toxic for both dogs and cats, especially dark or baking chocolate. Xylitol, a common artificial sweetener, can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure in dogs. Make sure your candy bowl stays out of reach and let everyone in your family know that the candy is for humans only (exceptions can be made for humans dressed as aliens, ghouls, robots, etc.).
Costumes
Pet costumes can be highly entertaining for owners, but our furry friends may not always agree. It is recommended that you make certain if your pet likes wearing a costume before making them wear one for extended periods of time. If you have a costume you wish to use, test it out with your pet before the big day. If your pet doesn’t mind getting into the Halloween spirit, make certain that the costume fits them well without restricting their movement or ability to breathe. On the other hand, if your pet isn’t a fan of dressing up – don’t force it. Bandanas or other mild collar accessories tend to serve as a great compromise.
Kids
It is important to keep your pet confined indoors on Halloween. Unfortunately, there are typically a few pranksters each year that can take the spirit of Halloween too far and, on occasion, pets can be on the receiving end of these pranks. Just as importantly, if you chose to stay home and greet trick-or-treaters your pet can feel threatened by the continuous barrage of strangers approaching your home. The best thing to prevent your pet from bolting out the front door is to keep them confined in a side room.
Identification
Halloween may be all about shrouding your identity in the visage of a creepy creature, but that does not mean your “creature” should hide their identity as well. Due to the stress caused by meeting too many strangers, it is advised to keep your pet at home during this holiday.
If you are handing out candy this year, you will be opening your door to a large quantity of people. While opening the door for eager trick-or-treaters, be certain your pet does not dash outside. A microchip and ID tag will drastically increase your pet’s chances of returning home should you ever get separated from him.
TCAP offers low cost microchipping for $30 on a walk-in basis during our vaccine hours at all locations. If your pet is already microchipped, you can double your pet’s safety this holiday by getting them an engraved ID tag.
