Halloween Pet Safety Tips

With Halloween right around the corner, here's a few tips for keeping your pets happy and safe!

• If handing out candy to trick or treaters, be sure your pet is secure in a crate or another room.  Pets can easily escape through frequently opened doors. 
• Be sure pets are wearing collars with ID tags.  Constant doorbell ringing, frequent visitors, and disruption in their normal routine can spook even the most well-adjusted pet. 
• If your dog is easily stressed, consider walking your dog earlier in the evening to avoid crowded sidewalks and costumed kids. 
• Jack O’ Lanterns are festive, but beware of candles.  A darting cat or dog can accidentally tip them over and create a fire hazard!  Consider switching to battery operated tea lights this year.
• Costumes can be fun, just make sure it is not restrictive or overly stressful to your pet.  Costumes should be loose enough around the neck and ribcage so as not to restrict breathing.  Be careful of anything that dangles which could cause a choking hazard.
• Keep candy out of your pet’s reach.  Candy and chocolate can be harmful to pets causing major health concerns and candy wrappers can easily cause a choking hazard.