Halloween is a delightful holiday for everyone, including your pets. Who doesn’t enjoy parties, candy, and dressing up? However, before getting caught up in the fun, focus on pet care. There are several ways that your pet could get hurt or sick during the festivities. If you take certain precautions to keep them safe, the holiday will be more enjoyable. 

4 Essential Halloween Pet Safety Tips 

1. No Human Treats or Toys 

As many pet care experts have proven, xylitol and chocolate can make animals sick. In both dogs and cats, chocolate can cause an upset stomach, abnormal heart rhythm, and seizures, while xylitol can cause liver damage.

Prevent them from eating raw pumpkins or corn as well, just in case they’re rotten. The mold can cause tremors and make your pet look like they’re drunk when they walk. Too much mold may even cause seizures.

Also, place items like jack-o-lanterns, glow sticks and jewelry, and cords out of your pet’s reach. They could hurt themselves or cause a fire if they bump the pumpkin or cords. Also, the substance in glow sticks, dibutyl phthalate, might make your pet agitated or cause them to act aggressively if ingested.

2. Check the Costume 

Not every pet is comfortable wearing a costume, so don’t force them into one. If your pet will wear one, choose a costume that fits snugly but not tightly.

Your pet should be able to breathe and eat easily and move without tripping over loose or dangling pieces. Even if you’re certain that the costume is safe, don’t allow your pet to wear it unsupervised. 

3. Provide Privacy 

Even if your pet isn’t prone to biting strangers, they might feel intimidated by your party guests or trick-or-treaters. Either let them relax in an empty room with the door closed or set aside a comfortable area where they can have some time to themselves. Let your guests know not to bother them. 

4. Keep Them Inside 

With the doors opening and closing more often to welcome trick or treaters, your pet may sneak out. Consider putting up a baby gate before your front door to prevent it. For the same reason, don’t bring your pet with you to an event and leave them alone in the car; just let them stay home.

Consider boarding them for the night if you think this might be a problem. In case your pet does run away, make sure they have a collar or microchip that can help you locate and identify them quickly.