Halloween is a great time for dressing up, trick or treating, celebrations and lots of family fun. However, there are a plenty of things that may cause danger for our beloved pets. Here are 6 quick safety tips to help keep your pet safe this Halloween.

Keep treats out of pets reach

Treats are a must for Halloween, but they are not safe for our pets.

Chocolate in all forms – especially dark or cooking chocolate – can be very dangerous, even fatal for our pets. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, tremors and seizures.
Also many lollies and sugar free treats that contain xylitol are toxic to pets. Such poisoning can lead to lethargy, loss of balance, permanent brain damage, liver failure and death.
If you suspect your pet has swallowed something toxic or is displaying signs of poisoning, contact your vet immediately.

Pet costume safety

For some pets, wearing a costume can be stressful, so be mindful of their comfort and happiness before deciding to dress your pet up this Halloween.

If you choose to dress your pet in a costume, go for a simple approach or try it on early to give your pet a chance to get used to their outfit.
Make sure the costume doesn’t limit their movement, sight, breathing or ability to communicate.
Check for small parts or holes that could become choking hazards or potentially get caught on objects, leading to injury.
Never leave your pet alone in their costume to ensure they are safe and if they become distressed at any time, remove the costume and let them roam free in their birthday suit!

Keep pets safe & away from front door

Halloween can bring a flurry of strange visitors to the door and this can be frightening for pets.

Consider keeping them safe in a separate room away from the front door during trick or treating time. This can also prevent them from accidentally darting outside when the door is open and becoming lost.
Make sure your pet is micro chipped or has their collar with ID tag on.
If your pet is micro chipped, check that their details are up to date to increase the chances of you being reunited with your pet should they accidentally escape and become lost.

Be careful with decorations

Electric and battery powered decorations can pose a serious threat to pets if chewed on or if parts are swallowed so be mindful of pets when decorating your home. Make sure candles are out of reach to prevent curious pets getting burnt or fires started from accidental knock overs.

Glow sticks are not for pets

Glow sticks are great for walking around trick or treating but are not so good for pets.

Whilst the liquid inside is not poisonous, it has a really bitter taste that may cause your pet to drool, paw at their mouth, become agitated or even vomit. The other concern is if they swallow the outer plastic housing or glass capsule contained in some of the larger glow sticks.
So if you find your pet chewing on a glow stick, first try to determine the size of the glow stick and how much they have eaten.
If it’s a large glow stick or if they have swallowed the plastic housing contact your vet immediately.
For smaller amounts offer your pet water and some food they like to clear the taste out of their mouth. You can also use a face washer to wipe their mouth and tongue. Once your pet has calmed down, turn the lights out and check they aren’t glowing anywhere on their body. If so, you will need to give them a wash to prevent them becoming agitated again when they groom themselves.

Noise and your pet

Some pets can become anxious and distressed by all the noise on Halloween. This can include fireworks, constant doorbell ringing, squeals, music and shouting “trick or treat”.

Take extra precaution on Halloween to make sure your pet is comfortable and calm. This could include taking them to a quiet room, away from the front door where they can relax. Don’t forget to check in on them regularly and take them out for toilet breaks.
You could also play calm soothing music in the room to drown out the noise.
Exercising your pet beforehand can also be helpful to encourage them to rest or maybe even sleep during all the excitement.

We hope you have a fun, pet safe Halloween. If you have any questions about your pets health or safety, please give us a call on 03 8784 4444.