Attention, animal lovers,
it's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking
some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying
"trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.
1. No tricks, no treats:
That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy.
Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very
dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener
xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested
something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison
Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
2. Popular Halloween plants
such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic,
but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.
3. Wires and
cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of
your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a
possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
4. A carved pumpkin
certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle.
Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens
especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.
5. Dress-up can be a big
mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you
know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer
their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.
6. If you do dress up your
pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict
the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or
meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet
seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go
au naturale or donning a festive bandana.
7. Take a closer look at
your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily
chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get
twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.
8. All but the most social
dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during
peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for
pets.
9. When opening the door
for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.
10. IDs, please! Always
make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet
escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a
lifesaver, increaing the chances that he or she will be returned to
you.
SOURCE: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/halloween-safety-tips
