Halloween Pet Safety Tips
No matter if you’re hosting a costume party, passing out treats to the kids, or will be out trick-or-treating yourself, it’s important to take your pet’s safety into account for this holiday season! Our animal hospital in San Antonio has put together a comprehensive list of Halloween pet safety tips. Have a happy (and safe!) Halloween!
Halloween Hazards & Helpful Tips
Halloween poses many unique dangers to our pets. Use these tips to ensure your pet enjoys this scary holiday along with the whole family!
- Supervise pets around decorations. Whether you have spider webs in your yard, jack-o'-lanterns on the porch, or candles in your home, it’s important to keep an eye on your pet. As curious creatures, they could knock over candles, get tangled in spider webs, or take a bite out of a raw, semi-rotten pumpkin. Always supervise them around decorations, or keep them all well out of paw’s reach!
- Don’t share your candy. Chocolate and xylitol (an artificial sweetener) are common toxins in candies, and they can cause severe stomach upset and even pancreatitis, a potentially fatal condition. Make sure your kids know not to share candy with their furry best friends, and always check that discarded wrappers aren’t lying around for your pet to find!
- Be cautious with costumes. Pet costumes can be awfully cute, but if your pet doesn’t love wearing it, it can cause them anxiety and irritation. With a disgruntled pet comes bad behavior and even aggression. Make sure your pet loves their costume before you let them wear it all night!
- Another point about costumes… your own costumes change your appearance, shape, and smell, which can make it hard for your pet to recognize you. Watch for signs of nervousness when your pet is around you or other costumed guests. If they seem upset, take them to a quiet room with their favorite toy where they can relax!
- If your pet is friendly and you can take them out with you while trick-or-treating, make sure they are always on a leash and stay close to you. Seeing all the children and adults in scary costumes can frighten your pet, and they may try to bolt. If they are really scared, they may even be aggressive. Keep them away from other trick-or-treaters unless your pet seems completely calm and unphased!
- Make sure your pet has appropriate identification. If your pet does bolt away from you or out the front door, they’ll need proper identification to make it back home. While a collar with ID tags is standard, a microchip is an even safer bet. A microchip is a permanent form of ID that can’t be removed or altered. Ask your veterinarian about one at your next visit!
Contact our animal hospital at [clinic-phone galabel="Halloween pet safety”] with any questions you have, or ask at your next appointment!
