Halloween Pet Safety Tips

Halloween is just around the corner, and you are probably getting ready for all the festivities that the spookiest holiday of the year can bring. While Halloween is supposed to be scary for humans, it can have frightening consequences for our animals if we aren’t aware of the potential dangers. Thus, we must take the proper steps to keep our pets safe.

With this in mind, here are our top Halloween pet safety tips.

Don’t Let Your Pet Near the Halloween Candies

Candy treats are one of kids’ favorite things about Halloween, but you should always make sure they are kept well away from your pets. This is because most candies contain ingredients that can make your furry friend sick. Chocolate is highly toxic to animals, while xylitol, which is found in most candy treats, is also poisonous to pets.

Be Wary Of Other Frightfully Dangerous Foods

Other Halloween foods can prove to be just as deadly in the paws and mouths of our animals. Two of the most common, corn and pumpkin, are often left unattended but can cause our animals to suffer from upset stomachs, vomiting, constipation and even bowel blockages that can be fatal.

Go Out Before It Gets dark

Even if your pet isn’t normally easily frightened, going out in the dark can be particularly scary around Halloween when lots of people in costumes can be found out roaming the streets. Strange sights, smells, and sounds can be a little overwhelming for even the most confident animal. Therefore, we recommend you take your dog out on a walk before night falls, and get in any cats well before sunset too.

Watch The Door!

With trick or treaters providing a constant stream of guests to many houses, chances are your door will be open more than it is closed on Halloween night. Unfortunately, this gives your pet the perfect opportunity to escape. We recommend you keep your animals safely secured in a room well away from the front door, giving them enough food, water, and love to keep them happy and away from the Halloween action.

Make Sure Their Microchip Is Up-To-Date

In the unlikely event that you and your pet become separated this Halloween – or at any other time – a microchip can increase the chances of you being reunited. This is because microchipping is a safe, tamper-proof way of attaching your personal details to your animal. If your pet isn’t yet chipped, inquire with your vet in Port Isabel about this now. If they already have a microchip, double-check that the details your microchip provider has for you are up to date!

Fur And Fire Don’t Mix

Animals are naturally curious creatures and while candles and lit pumpkins can add to the spooky atmosphere in your home and yard, they can also be a very real threat to the health and safety of animals. Not only are they at risk of being burned, but a curious pet or wild animal could easily knock over an unprotected flame and start a fire. Switch to an artificial flame for peace of mind.

Careful With Costumes

Pet costumes are extremely popular, especially during Halloween. They may look cute, but not all animals can tolerate them particularly well, and if they don’t, your precious pet could quickly become distressed. Be sure to choose costumes with no loose threads, pieces to pull on, or pieces that could come off and become a choking hazard. Supervise your pet at all times that they are wearing a costume.

Dangerous Decorations

Decorating your home and yard is all part of the fun, but many decorations pose a potential risk to the health and safety of our animals. Whether it’s becoming tangled in artificial cobwebs, wrapped in cords, or choking on small decorations like rubber insects and fake eyeballs, it’s important to be mindful of the hazards around your home and keep your pet well away from them. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun, but keep one room horror-free and a safe zone for your pet.

For more Halloween pet safety tips, get in touch with our spooktacular veterinary team at Port Isabel Animal Clinic in Port Isabel, Texas by calling us at (956) 943-6022.