This Halloween, while you’re passing out candy to little neighborhood ghosts and ghouls, remember to practice proper pet care to keep your furry friend safe. Whether it’s misplaced candy or autumn decorations, several spooktacular items can pose a health risk to your animal. Enjoy a fun and safe Halloween with the whole family by following these three pet care tips.

How to Keep Your Pet Safe on Halloween

1. Keep Candy Out of Reach

Cats and dogs are curious and prone to exploring new items in their environment. Halloween candy, especially chocolate, can be incredibly toxic to animals. If your pet ingests too much candy, they can experience gastrointestinal issues and even chocolate poisoning, which causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. Place your candy in a cabinet and out of reach of your furry friend to ensure they aren’t tempted to try the sweets.

2. Designate a Safe Space for Your Pet

Halloween can be a confusing time for pets, and they can become overwhelmed by the coming and going of unfamiliar trick-or-treaters. Combat your pet’s anxiety by designating a safe space for them, like a separate room or their own crate, to help them feel safe and calm.

3. Skip Costumes for Anxious Animals

Unless your pet doesn’t mind wearing clothing, skip a Halloween costume to avoid negative physical and emotional impacts on your animal. Costumes often come with strings or buttons that can be ingested by pets and lead to stomach issues, like bloating and vomiting. Additionally, a new article of clothing can be confusing for your pet if they aren’t used to wearing an outfit, overwhelming them.

If you’re concerned about additional pet care issues during Halloween, talk to the professionals at Mililani Town Center Pet Clinic in Hawaii. Their team offers the services you need to care for your companion animal, whether you need basic pet care or require evening appointments to accommodate a busy schedule. To learn more about how these veterinarians can help you take better care of your pet, visit them online or call (808) 625-6744.