Halloween is full of spooky frights
Keeping your pet safe during the Halloween festivities shouldn’t be frightening though. Whether you leave the house dressed in matching couples costumes or fly solo dressed as your WingPet, here are five not-so-scary Halloween tips for keeping your pet safe at home!
1. Keep the Jack-O-Lanterns Out of Paws Reach
Carving pumpkins is a perfect fall date idea. But after carving, Jack-O-Lanterns linger for weeks, growing bacteria and mold. This is one spooky Halloween meal you don’t want your pets to have. Instead, an occasional treat of canned pumpkin puree is a delicious and nutritious snack for both cats and dogs, if given in moderation. In fact, if your pet has digestive upset, pumpkin can help to get things back on track.
Looking for a recipe? We love this Pumpkin Push-up Treat for Cats, or roll your sleeves up to whip up these Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats.
2. Keep the Sweets for Yourself
Sharing is not caring when it comes to chocolate and other sweets. While your cat or dog might want just a bite, experts say ingestion of chocolate could turn into a medical emergency. Keep your pets safe this Halloween by skipping the chocolate, or leave the bowls and bars out of reach.
As for other sweets, there’s a good chance they contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is poisonous to pets. Find a complete list of foods that are toxic to dogs here and cats here.
If you know or suspect that your pet has eaten a toxin, call the Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian immediately.
3. Choose Pet-Friendly Décor
On the list of the décor most likely to cause your pet horror: glow sticks, fake spider webs, lights, and rubber toys. If ingested, these frightful items can cause digestive upset, or worse, an obstruction in their digestive tract. Instead, opt for a cozy, pet-safe Halloween home with the use of holiday pillows, blankets, and tablecloths.
4. Avoid Spooky Sounds
If the crackle of the doorbell is the definition of a Halloween scare for your pet, encourage trick-or-treaters to knock instead. A polite, festive sign asking visitors to knock will make this Hallows Eve more enjoyable for all!
5. Choose the Best Costume for Your Pet
Is it a good idea to dress your pet up for Halloween? It depends. Some pets won’t tolerate a costume. If snapping a picture is a must, take a quick photo and then get them out of the costume! A festive collar or bow tie might be a better option for finnicky pets.
If your pet loves dressing up for Halloween as much as you do, choose a costume without loose pieces that they could chew on or ingest. Ditch buttons, glitter, tassels, and jewels. Lastly, keep a watchful eye on your spooky critter or they could take getting undressed into their own paws!
