Keeping your pets safe during Halloween

Download a copy of AWLQ’s Keeping your pet safe during Halloween brochure here.

Halloween is a fun time for people, but for pets, it can be a nightmare, and it is a time to exercise caution.

To ensure that both you and your pets enjoy a fun and safe Halloween, we recommend you follow these tips:

• Don’t feed your pets Halloween lollies, especially if they contain chocolate or xylitol (a common sugar substitute in sugar-free products), as these can be poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures.
• Be sure your pet wears identification tags with your name and phone number. Their microchip details are up-to-date if they escape through the open door while you’re distracted by trick-or-treaters.
• If you are using candles to light your jack-o-lanterns or other Halloween decorations, make sure to place them well out of reach for your pets. They risk burning themselves or causing a fire if they get too close.
• If you plan to put a costume on your pet, make sure it fits properly and is comfortable, doesn’t have any pieces that can easily be chewed off, and doesn’t interfere with your pet’s sight, hearing, breathing, opening its mouth, or moving. Take time to get your pet accustomed to the costume before Halloween.
• Keep glow sticks and glow jewellery away from your pets. Although the liquid in these products isn’t likely toxic, it doesn’t taste very good. It makes pets salivate excessively and act strangely. In addition, battery-powered Halloween decorations can present a risk to pets.
• Pets may become anxious and frightened when the doorbell is constantly ringing, and all they see are people in strange clothes and masks. Confining them to their own safe haven for the evening can help calm their nerves and prevent them from barking excessively or running out of the constantly opening front door.
• Please don’t leave pets outside on Halloween, as this may place them and trick-or-treaters at risk. A constant stream of people in strange clothes may cause your pet to become stressed and cause them to behave in a way they usually wouldn’t.

Even though the rest of your family might be caught up in all the Halloween festivities, your pet still needs a routine that includes all their activities. These simple tips will help keep your pets safe, healthy and out of any scary trouble this Halloween.