Halloween Safety: Keep the Tricks and Treats Safe for Everyone
Halloween can be a fun and exciting night for families, but what looks like harmless Halloween fun to us can be confusing, frightening or even dangerous for our pets. Strange costumes, unfamiliar sounds, a constant stream of visitors and tempting treats can all create new challenges for our four-legged family members.
A few simple precautions can help make sure Halloween is enjoyable and safe for everyone – including your pets.
- Keep the candy out of reach
Halloween candy is for people, not pets! Keep candy bowls, treats and chocolate safely out of reach, especially once the kids come home and the candy comes out of their bags.
Children may not realize that sharing their treats with the family dog or cat can be dangerous, so remind them to keep their Halloween haul somewhere pets can’t get into it. If your pet does eat something they shouldn’t, contact your veterinarian for advice.
- Give your pet a safe place away from the door
Even pets who are normally calm and friendly can become stressed when a steady stream of strangely dressed witches, goblins and superheroes starts appearing at the door.
Consider keeping your pet in a quiet room away from the front entrance, with their bed, favourite toys and some water. This gives them a place to retreat from the commotion and also reduces the risk of them slipping out the door.
- Secure your pet – even in the yard
Don’t assume your fenced yard is enough to keep your pet safe on Halloween. The unusual sights and sounds of the evening may cause anxiety or trigger an unexpected reaction, even in pets who normally love being outside.
Keep pets indoors whenever possible. If they need to go outside, go with them and keep an eye on them rather than simply letting them out on their own.
- Give pets plenty of space from trick-or-treaters
If you take your dog outside during Halloween, remember that they may not understand what all those costumed children are doing.
Give your pet plenty of space from trick-or-treaters and make sure they are securely attached to a good-quality leash and properly fitted harness or collar. Even a dog who normally walks calmly around children may react differently when faced with unusual costumes, masks, noises and excited groups of people.
- Keep glow sticks away from pets
Glow sticks and other light-up accessories can be great tools for helping children stay visible on Halloween night, but they shouldn’t become a chew toy for your pet.
Keep glow sticks and bracelets off the floor and out of reach. If your pet decides to chew on one, the contents may cause irritation and make them ill. Keep an eye out for dropped or discarded glow sticks throughout the evening.
- Check those costumes!
Costumes can be fun for the whole family – pets included – but make sure your pet’s costume is safe and comfortable.
Choose a costume that fits properly and won’t slip, tangle around your pet or restrict their movement, breathing, sight or hearing. Avoid anything with small pieces that could become a choking hazard if chewed.
And remember: never leave a costumed pet unattended. If your pet seems uncomfortable or stressed, take the costume off and let them enjoy Halloween in their own way.
- Make sure your pet can find their way home
Halloween brings an increased risk of pets slipping through an open door or gate. Before the festivities begin, make sure your pet’s identification information is current.
Your pet should be wearing a collar with up-to-date identification tags. A microchip is also an excellent way to help ensure your pet can be identified and returned home quickly and safely if they become lost.
The Regina Humane Society offers pet microchipping for a minimal fee, providing an additional layer of protection for your pet.
A little preparation goes a long way
Halloween doesn’t have to be stressful for your pets. By keeping tempting treats out of reach, giving pets a quiet place away from the action and taking a few extra precautions when they’re outside, you can help make the night safe and enjoyable for the whole family.
After all, the best Halloween is one where everyone – two-legged and four-legged – makes it safely home.