Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
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Costumes, Paint and Pics
No matter what type of costume you choose, we recommend you only put it on your pet long enough to snap a photo.
Most pets find costumes uncomfortable and this can turn into a real threat for pets and people. If your dog or cat is especially sensitive to new things, you should never attempt to dress them up for any reason – the potential damage you could cause is not worth the photo.
If your pet is accepting of a costume, here are some tips for selecting one:
Pet Paint:
For those animals you just can’t dress up, you may want to consider the nontoxic paint from PetPaint. Be especially careful if your pet is sensitive to noises (paints will make a “hissing” sound that can traumatize your pets).
Collars
There are some very cute costumes that require no work to use. These include cute bowties, and specialty collars like these from QuickSwitch (click to see video) – which allow you to instantly transform your collar into a new design.
These are great for pets who travel or who prefer to avoid costumes. There are a number of great collars to choose from and each can be instantly transformed for any occasion.
Costumes
There are many fun costumes available for pets that have been carefully designed with a pet’s comfort and safety. Choose from lions, butterflies, a stegosaurus or even triceratops!
Remember:
The best costumes are the most minimal. If you really want to put a costume on your pet, be sure it’s safe, made from fire-retardant material, and easily removed in case your pet becomes distressed.
ID is Imperative
It shouldn’t have to be said that your pets should be micro-chipped and wearing ID at all times, but we’re going to say it. Your pet should always be wearing:
- ID tags: that list the owner name and current phone number
- Rabies: Tags that are current
- Microchip: use today to make sure your pets tags and microchips have been updated. There is nothing more frustrating to a pet owner than losing a pet – unless you are the person who found the pet and were unable to return the animal because of microchip or ID information that is out of date. Make it easy to have your pets found.
- GPS Tracker: They are affordable, easy to use and will save you a lot of frustration if your dog or cat does make an escape.
Keep Pets Indoors
I can’t say it enough. This is the time of year that your pets are most likely going to be happier indoors, away from noise, and out of range of doorbells being rung for hours on end. Consider crating your pet during this stressful time, or putting into a room with a Kong toy and some relaxing classical music (although our pets prefer Enya
Cats are in particular danger this night as they tend to escape through open doors and windows. There are many dangerous predators out on Halloween and black or white cats and dogs are at a high risk of falling prey to their violence.
Halloween is a stressful time for animals, but with a little planning, you can make it an enjoyable and stress-free holiday for your two- and four-legged family members.
