LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While Halloween for us humans is a time for fun and playful scares, the spooky holiday can be especially frightening and even dangerous for our four-legged friends.
Whether you're out trick-or-treating, at a party or at home handing out candy, these helpful tips from the Kentucky Humane Society can help calm your pets down and maybe even save their life.
1. Make sure your pet’s Halloween costume is safe and comfortable
It’s important that your pet’s costume fits properly and does not inhibit their ability to properly breathe, hear or move, nor obstruct their vision. If they are exhibiting signs of discomfort or stress, try a decorative bandanna instead. It’s a good idea to try your pet’s costume on them ahead of the holiday get them used to wearing it.
2. Keep your pet away from open doors
As trick-or-treaters come to the door, your pet could be frightened by the costumes or seeing new people. To avoid any pet making a mad dash for the door or injuring a trick-or-treater, consider keeping your pet crated or contained to a room where access to the door is not available.
3. Make sure your pet has a collar with identification tags
In case of emergencies, make sure your pet is wearing up-to-date tags. The ID tag should include your current address and phone number, so you easily can be contacted should your missing pet be found. Micro-chipping your pet also helps ensure they return to you if they do happen to escape and their tags are pulled off.
4. Beware of candles and decorations
Restrict your pet’s access to candles, Jack O’ Lanterns and Halloween decorations. If they are knocked over, lit candles could burn your companion and become a fire hazard. Make sure all decorations are kept out of reach from pets, as they can be dangerous if chewed or swallowed.
5. Glow sticks are not chew toys
Cats, in particular, love to chew on glow sticks/jewelry. While not usually life-threatening, their contents can cause pain and irritation in the mouth, as well as profuse drooling and foaming at the mouth.
6. Chocolate is very toxic to pets
Unfortunately, many dogs are tempted by the smell of chocolate. However, they can’t metabolize the chemicals in chocolate like humans. The amount of chocolate that is toxic varies depending on the size of your pet and the type of chocolate (dark is the most dangerous). Keep chocolate away from all your pets.
7. Candy is also not a good idea
Eating large amounts of high sugar or high fat foods like candy can lead to pancreatitis, a potentially fatal and very painful inflammation of the pancreas. Just like chocolate, all candy should be kept out of your pet’s reach.
8. Grapes & Raisins are toxic, too
Some people offer healthy snacks, like raisins, to trick-or-treaters. These are very poisonous to dogs and cats. They deserve the same caution and care that Halloween candy receives. Keep them out of your pet’s reach.
If you think your pet has ingested something poisonous, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control immediately at 1-888-426-4435.
9. Throw away candy wrappers
If pets eat the candy, they’re not going to unwrap it. Even if they don’t get sick from the candy, the wrappers can cause a life-threatening bowel obstruction. Play it safe by immediately throwing wrappers away.
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