Pet Owners: 10 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe This Halloween

For pet owners, a dog or cat is not just a pet, but an important part of the family.

To this end, the Prince George’s County Police Department recommends following 10 precautions from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that help protect pets from dangers that may arise around Halloween.

1. No tricks, no treats: Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener, xylitol, can also cause problems. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 888-426-4435.
   
   
2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.
   
   
3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of pets. If chewed, a pet might suffer cuts, burns, or a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
   
   
4. Use caution if you add a candle to a carved pumpkin. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned by candle flames. To combat this, the Prince George’s County Fire Department recommends using a battery powered light to illuminate your pumpkin.
   
   
5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Don’t put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it. For some, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.
   
   
6. If you dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au natural or donning a festive bandana.
   
   
7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he or she could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.
   
   
8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
   
   
9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, make sure your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside. Keep in mind that your pet may not recognize a familiar person wearing a costume and may become aggressive.
   
   
10. Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

Photo via Getty Images

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