Here are some tips to keep your pet happy and safe this Halloween.
- No candy! Treats made with chocolate and the artificial sweetener xylitol are toxic to pets and other treats can cause an upset stomach. If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, or the animal poison control center at (888) 426-4435.
- Be careful that no one slips out the door. With trick-or-treaters in and out all night, a pet can sneak out, so it might be a good idea to confine pets away from the door. Make sure all identification tags are up to date, just in case.
- Watch out for fire hazards. If you choose to put candles inside your pumpkins, put them in an area where they won't be knocked over by a rambunctious pet.
- Make sure your pet's costume fits properly. It shouldn't restrict your pet's ability to see, hear, bark or meow, move, or breathe. Put the costume on your pet a day or two before Halloween for a test run. If your pet seems annoyed or uncomfortable, you may want to consider a different costume, or even a Halloween bandanna.
- Unless your pet is the most social of creatures, keep them at home during your trick-or-treating adventures. Many pets aren't used to crowds, and lots of kids in costumes can cause anxiety.
