Halloween safety tips for pets

Creating a safe space for your pet

It's a good idea to make sure your pet is used to the sounds of people knocking on the door and visiting the house to avoid distressing them. 

It’s recommended that you also create a safe space for them to retreat to. Cats love to seek out cosy hiding places, so make sure they have a comfortable, quiet place to go in the house. If your cat is settled, don't try to cuddle them to keep them calm, just leave them where they are comfortable. Keep your dog in a cosy, quiet area of the house away from the door so they can't hear the knocking and regular visitors frequenting the house.

Move treats and decorations out of reach

If you enjoy carving pumpkins, make sure you do so out of your pet's reach - pumpkins are a classic element of Halloween, and whilst they are non-toxic, they can cause stomach upsets if large amounts are eaten, so make sure to move pumpkins well out of your pet’s reach.

Popular Halloween treats like sweets and chocolate are toxic to pets, so should always be kept well out of reach. If your pet does manage to eat any treats you should contact your local vet for advice immediately.

If your child is playing with glowsticks, be sure that your pet doesn’t get a hold of them. The oily liquid found inside glowsticks can cause severe drooling and foaming at the mouth when chewed, therefore it’s imperative you keep them out of reach of your pet.

Protecting your pet from burns

With candles being a big part of Halloween decorations, pets need to be kept away from anything they can injury themselves on. Using electric candles to minimise the risk of singed whiskers and more serious burns is a great swap in place of traditional candles. 

Children also need to be careful with sparklers as these can be very frightening to some pets - therefore if you plan to use them, keep your pets indoors and dispose of them correctly in a bucket of cold water before throwing them away.

Microchipping 

Microchipping is a permanent solution that greatly increases the chances that a lost pet will be reunited safely with their owner.

Cats are especially more likely to flee a situation if they feel anxious, so if your cat doesn't come indoors, then make sure they are microchipped and their details are up-to-date in case they become spooked, run away and become lost. This also can be applied with dogs too, as if they are interested in constant comings and goings, they may head for the door and be excited by all the outdoor commotion.

Be careful with pet costumes

Many pets can feel stress when wearing a costume - it’s recommended that unless your pet enjoys wearing a costume, you don’t put them in one. If your pet does enjoy wearing a costume, ensuring that they do not limit their movements, sight, or ability to breathe.

Check the costumes for any choking hazards, and ensure the costume fits correctly - any ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects which can lead to injury.

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