Decorating for Halloween is a fun way to celebrate the holiday festivities. But for many pets, your whimsical holiday decor can be dangerous, posing a potential choking or poison hazard. To avoid an emergency trip to the vet this Halloween, use the guide below for tips to safely decorate your home this autumn. 

How to Safely Decorate for Halloween With Pets

1. Keep Pumpkins Out of Reach

Jack-o’-lanterns are traditional in many homes, and while they add a silly or spooky glow to your porch steps, they can also be dangerous for curious pets. Always keep lit pumpkins out of reach of dogs and cats. Not only can they accidentally knock them over, presenting a fire hazard, but inquisitive pets can also singe their whiskers or tails.

When carving the pumpkins, keep your pets out of the room to prevent them from ingesting large pieces that might present choking hazards. 

2. Skip the Candy Decor

While DIY candy decorations are fun to make with children, dogs and cats may find the allure of your handcrafted lollipop centerpieces, gumball garlands, and candy corn topiaries hard to resist. Pets may also mistake brightly colored packaging for toys and accidentally swallow hazardous materials such as cellophane, foil, or plastic wrappers.

If your pet consumes something toxic for them, like chocolate or the artificial sweetener xylitol, contact your vet right away.

3. Use Spider Webs Sparingly

Artificial spider webs are fun additions to Halloween decor, but, like candy wrappers, your pets may attempt to chew on them. Fake webbing that comes loose can also get stuck in your pet's fur or paws, and they’ll likely try to chew it off. Not only can this cause choking, but, if ingested, it can also lead to vomiting and dangerous intestinal blockages.

Use webbing in an area your pet doesn't access or forego it altogether to be safe. 

If your pet needs an emergency vet this Halloween, visit Waipio Pet Clinic in Waipahu, HI. Their compassionate and knowledgable veterinary team provides a variety of services, including routine exams, diagnostics, imaging, and surgical procedures. Contact them today at (808) 676-2205 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online or on Instagram to learn more about their practice.