Keep pets safe this Halloween
Halloween can be fun children and families. But for pets it can be a nightmare and brings lots of dangers – from sweet treats and decorations, to your pets feeling frightened of trick or treaters. Keep your cats and dogs safe this year by following these tips:
Trick-or-treat sweets are not for pets:
All forms of chocolate can be dangerous, even lethal, for cats and dogs. Keep all the trick-or-treat goodies well away from your pets.
Provide a safe space for pet, away from the door:
Indoors is certainly better than outdoors on Halloween, with your door potentially constantly opening and closing, and strangers on your doorstep dressed in unusual costumes. This extra noise and activity can be scary for our furry friends. Keep your dog or cat in a secure crate or a room away from the front door to reduce stress.
Keep Halloween pumpkins out of reach:
If you are using candles to light pumpkins or other Halloween decorations, make sure to place them well out of reach of your pets. Should they get too close, they run the risk of burning themselves or causing a fire.
And remember ingesting uncooked, old, or potentially mouldy Halloween pumpkins left outside can cause serious tummy problems and pose risks for wildlife and pets. Think about swapping to a battery-operated candle instead.
Use pet-proof decorations:
When decorating your home for Halloween, remember to use pet-proof decorations. Candles, fairy lights and hanging decorations can all pose a risk, as cat’s in particular can be tempted to climb or play with them.
False cobwebs can be particularly dangerous as they can cause an obstruction in your pet’s tummy if eaten. Keep any decorations out of reach and always supervise your pets.
Keep the Halloween outfits for humans:
Though it may look cute seeing them in little outfits, this can be uncomfortable and may be stressful for them.
Walk your dog before it gets dark:
If you get home after dark and don’t have time to walk your dog in daylight, think about fun ways to tire them out in the safety of your home.
Enjoy a happy and safe Halloween!