A Few Tricks to Give Your Pets a Happy Howl-o-ween
No doubt about it—Halloween is going to look a little different this year, even with everyone (and their gussied-up pugs) wearing masks! Parties will likely be a lot smaller than in the past if they happen at all, and several communities are opting out of door-to-door trick or treating in favor of stay-at-home activities.
That said, a little preparation goes a long way when it comes to protecting pets from common Halloween dangers. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your pet has a safe and happy holiday.
Stow that candy out of paws’ reach. Since you most likely won’t have to deal with droves of trick-or-treaters this Halloween, you might find yourself with a pretty big stash of candy. Chocolate and the sweetener xylitol—often found in gum—can be very toxic to dogs and cats. Kids should also be reminded not to feed candy to pets.
Provide your pet with a safe space. If you’re expecting any visitors, put your dog or cat in a quiet place away from the door. This will help prevent them from getting too worked up or escaping.
Putting your pet in a costume? Make sure they feel comfortable in it before taking them out. If the costume has bells, noisemakers or strings, they can scare your pet or pose a choking hazard.
Keep your cats indoors on Halloween night! This is especially important for black cats who are often targeted during the holiday. Also, make sure your pets are microchipped or have a collar with current identification in case they get scared and run off.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment to get your pet microchipped or have further questions about Halloween safety, call us at 503-446-2450.