Keeping Pets Safe at Halloween

Scary cat or scared cat? Hellhound or unhappy hound? How can we keep our pets happy and safe at Halloween?  

Trick or Treat?

If they do come round, trick or treaters at the door can unsettle a nervous pet. It helps if you are able to make sure they have a ‘safe place’ where they feel secure.  

• Firstly create a bed or den in a crate. Secondly ensure the bed is covered on top and three sides. You can then place it in a quiet spot where it will provide a safe hiding place. This works well for dogs (this is good advice for fireworks season as well - see our other blog posts for more tips).  
• It’s a good idea to keep cats indoors after dark.  Startled cats can run out of their normal territory and get lost. They may even run into a busy road.   
• Always check that visitors have closed garden gates when they leave.  

Halloween Treats

Primarily Halloween is a time for fun. Most of us enjoy a treat or game. Importantly we need to exercise caution as some are harmful to our pets.  

• Importantly Chocolate should be for humans only as it’s poisonous to dogs and cats.  
• Likewise many sweets contain  xylitol (a sweetener) which is also toxic.  
• Dogs that eat wrappers and packaging to get to the tempting food inside, could develop a serious blockage internally.  
• Any food made with raisins, grapes or sultanas can cause fatal kidney failure in dogs.   
• Toffee apples are a hazard if the stick gets eaten. The toffee apple itself could be also be a choking hazard.  
• Candles are often made with essential oils, waxes and paraffins. These can all cause harm to your pet if they chew or swallow them.  
• Glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark jewellery or toys (yes, some dogs do chew them!) contain a bitter substance. This can irritate your dog’s eyes and skin and make them drool and gag. This is not much fun for pets so it’s best to make sure they can’t play with them.  
• While your pet may like to dress up as a pumpkin, or maybe a little devil at Halloween. It is important to remember costumes can be a fire hazard so always keep well away from naked flames.  

We hope you find our tips ‘Haloweelly’ helpful, enjoy a safe Halloween!