5 Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
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Halloween is usually a spooky time for pets, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five ways you can protect your pets during this holiday of hazards!
[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]1. Identification[/heading]
Your pets should always be wearing identification. The best way to ensure their safety is to use a three-pronged approach:
Microchip: Be sure your pet is micro-chipped and that their information is up-to-date in the system.
ID Tags: Cats should be wearing a quick-release collar that contains ID tags, and every dog should wear a comfortably fitting collar with ID tags that are easy to read. If you use one of our favorite tags from Blanket ID, make sure you’re familiar with the “Lost Pet” feature that allows you to quickly generate posters and have them delivered to your local area shelters and veterinarians.
GPS Tracker: If you haven’t already, you should pick up a GPS tracker for each pet. You know that our favorite is the Tagg GPS Tracker, and with their recent addition of activity tracking, it’s a must-have for the holiday.
[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]2. Costumes[/heading]
Pets and costumes don’t always mix, but if you do decide to dress your pet up, it’s best to follow three rules. Savers has some great deals this time of year, and for only a few dollars, you can make All Hallows Eve a safe one for your pet. Other options (rather than costumes) include specialized color hair dye that is nontoxic and specialize for use on dogs. If your pet has any type of skin sensitivity, never use any type of dye products on them.
- Silent: Costumes should not frighten the dogs as they move around. Use cloth to keep the strange noises to a minimum.
- Safe: All costumes should be nonflammable and flame-retardant. They should be easy to put on and remove so that if pets begin to panic, you can quickly remove the costume.
- Secure: Be sure there is nothing that can choke your pet if they are able to pull it from the costume.
[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]3. Dangerous Foods[/heading]
We’ve heard of the delectable “death by chocolate” dessert (one of our favorites) and at worst – you may wind up with an upset stomach. But for a dog that same dessert could be a reality. While dogs can handle certain levels of chocolate if it is accidentally consumed (check the chocolate toxicity chart below), you should never intentionally feed your pets any type of chocolate. Xylitol (in sugar-free candies and gums) is also toxic and as little as 3 pieces of sugar-free gum could kill a 65-lb dog! Keep your candy stored in a safe, pet-proofed location.
Other foods to avoid include:
[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]4. Candles[/heading]
Candles and pets are a dangerous combination. A simple candle pass-over with a tail can create a raging house fire, and a frightened pet could easily turn over a jack-a-lantern with a candle burning inside. Instead, use flameless candles. They are easier to use, you don’t have to worry about fire, and you won’t have to worry about your pets getting into them.
[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]5. Trick-or-Treating (and Doorbells)[/heading]
Even the friendliest dog can bite if they are provoked or fearful enough for their family’s safety. Keep your pets indoors and away from kids in strange costumes. If you’re dog is reactive to the doorbell, you need to begin working with them now. Here’s a guide for Training Dogs to Ignore the Doorbell
Trick or treating is for kids, not pets.
Let’s keep this holiday safe for our pets, our kids and ourselves. Follow these simple guidelines and you will have a holiday to remember! Don’t forget to reward your pet with some yummy pumpkin recipes you can make with smashed jack-o-lanterns!
