Halloween can be a stressful, and possibly dangerous, night for your pet. From the constant parade of trick-or-treaters knocking on your door, to unattended bowls of chocolate candy, October 31 can be dangerous for your pet. Here are a few tips for making your pet’s Halloween as happy as possible.

Make Your Pet Feel Safe

Know your pets and what they can handle when it comes to Halloween. Pets thrive on routine, and the commotion of Halloween can be very upsetting for cats and dogs, as well as birds.  If this is your pet’s first Halloween, exercise caution when it comes to trick-or-treaters, costumes, and décor (both inside and out).

Here are a few things to consider when planning your Halloween:

  • Outlandish costumes, both on family members and strangers alike, can be disorienting to pets, especially dogs. Let your dog familiarize itself with your costume (and you in it!).
  • Don’t dress your pets in costume unless you know they love it.
  • Don’t take your pets trick-or-treating or to Halloween parties. Yes, your Schnauzer may be the perfect Toto to your Dorothy, but there are too many things that could go terribly wrong. Take a stuffed animal instead.
  • Likewise, black cats are not Halloween accessories. Please don’t buy an animal just because it seems festive.
  • Animatronic decorations can be scary for pets, as can décor that emits strange noises, lights, and smoke. Be sensitive to your pet’s fears. Wait until Halloween night to unveil these displays, and try to keep your pets in a safe and secure place while they are in action.
  • Keep candy, especially chocolate, away from pets—preferably in a location that cannot be reached by dogs or cats (they work together sometimes).

Managing Typical Halloween Pet Safety Issues

Trick-or-treating may be the most stressful part of Halloween for pets. Because of this, it is advised that you keep your pets as far from the excitement as possible on Halloween night.

Make your back bedroom a den for your pets, full of comforting blankets and toys. You might even want to leave the television on for a soothing distraction. If possible, have someone in your family stay with your pet while the lights are on.

Depending on your pet’s anxiety level, you may want to consider consulting your vet on an anti-anxiety medication for the night. Please contact us for an appointment, if you think it’s necessary.

Managing the Atypical Halloween Pet Safety Issues

We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your pet safe on Halloween. Sadly, there are still those who think that Halloween is an occasion for harming animals—cats and dogs alike.

Bring your pets in for the evening long before the sun goes down, and keep them indoors until morning. Plan ahead for the inevitable elimination by providing a litter box. Likewise, take your dog out on a leash when he or she is ready to go out.

Again, take extra caution with black cats. Unfortunately black cats can be a target on Halloween (and the nights before and after). But this tragic fate can be avoided by keeping them indoors and out of harms way.

Finally, be certain that your pets are wearing their tags (with contact info) on Halloween and that microchip information is up to date. Accidents can happen, and pets can get out. Be prepared. If you have any other questions or concerns, or if you need to make an appointment, please don’t hesitate to call us.