Trick or Treat

Photo courtesy Banfield Charitable Trust

Spooky streets, tasty treats . . . and pets in danger? We hope not! Halloween can be a dangerous holiday for pets, but with a few simple steps you can help guarantee that the holiday involves more fun than fear for your canine and feline companions.

1) Keep candy safely stowed away! Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and overdosing on candy and sweets can make any pet sick. 

2) Keep pet/child interactions safe. Remember, your pet may not understand why you're opening the door to hundreds of scary monsters and excited strangers! A pet might be safest in a closed bedroom or crate (if he or she is crate trained). Indoor cats might see the strange holiday as a chance to dart for the door. 

3) If your pet is going to be dressing up, respect his or her needs and body language. If he or she seems frightened or uncomfortable, rethink that dogosaurus suit and try for something a little less restrictive or scary! 

4) Use ID. Holidays are often filled with unexpected sights and sounds, and it is possible that your pet might be frightened enough to escape or run away. In addition to trying to keep your pets secure at home, please use ID tags and microchips on your pets to vastly increase the chances of a happy reunion!