Halloween is almost here! While we might love Halloween, many animals are downright terrified by this holiday. In addition to being scary, Halloween can be dangerous to our pets. Here are some common Halloween pet hazards and how to keep your dogs and cats safe.

1. Keep Pets Inside

The spooky decorations, strange noises, and constant doorbell ringing from little trick-or-treaters can be frightening for our pets. If you have a nervous, shy, protective, or easily startled pet, it’s best to keep them safely inside and away from the front door. Every Halloween, pets can get scared and dart out an open door or escape from their yard, so taking a few extra precautions can help keep them safe.

I recommend giving your pet a favorite treat or chew to keep them occupied in a quiet room away from the commotion. On Halloween night, I give my own dogs a Nylabone chew toy. They love the real-meat flavor, and the long-lasting chew helps keep them occupied while the trick-or-treaters come to the door. Turning on the TV or radio can also help drown out the doorbell and spooky noises. If your pet experiences significant anxiety every Halloween, be sure to talk with your veterinarian about ways to help them feel more comfortable, including whether medication might be appropriate for your pet.

2. Keep Pets away from candy

Halloween candy is a big NO NO for pets. Even though most people, know chocolate is toxic to pets, every Halloween many pets end up in the emergency room after getting a hold of some Halloween candy. And it’s not just chocolate that we have to watch out for. Candy with xylitol, like sugar-free gum, is also very dangerous to pets. Xylitol causes insulin release and low blood sugar levels and can lead to liver failure. And candy containing raisins can also be toxic to pets. Raisins, like grapes, can cause kidney failure in dogs. Be sure to keep all Halloween candy safely out of reach of all pets. If your pet manages to get ahold of some candy, immediately call your veterinarian for advice or take your pet to a local veterinary emergency clinic.

3. Keep Pets away from candles and decorations

Flickering candles, jack-o-lanterns, and twinkling lights don’t just capture our attentions, pets are curious by nature and are drawn to these lights as well. Unfortunately, pets can get burned if they get too close to a candle or jack-o-lanterns, or worse, start a house fire. Halloween lights  can also be dangerous to our pets. Pets can get tangled in lights, or worse yet, they can get electrocuted if they chew on them. In addition, some animals will swallow smaller decorations, which can also cause life-threatening intestinal blockages unless they are promptly removed surgically. To avoid these Halloween hazards, never leave lit candles unattended and always place all candles and decorations safely out of reach of pets.

4. Don’t leave pets in costumes alone

Some people, like me, love to dress their pet up for Halloween. Just be sure you use a costume made especially for pets and never leave them in a costume unattended. Pet costumes are designed to fit your pet comfortably and to come off easily. Even so, you should never leave your pet alone in a costume. Some animals may decide to take their costume off themselves and become entangled, while others may decide to eat the costume in order to ensure they won’t have to wear it again.

5. Be sure all pets have ID tags and microchips

Finally, if your pet doesn’t already have a collar, ID tag and microchip, get these before Halloween just in case your pet gets frightened and runs away during the spooky celebration. All pets should have a microchip, even strictly indoor cats. Remember the door will be opening and closing a lot, making it easy for a scared pet to escape. Microchips are the best way to ensure you are reunited with a lost pet.

As you prepare for Halloween, keep these common pet hazards in mind, to avoid a terrifying trip to the emergency clinic.

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