Don't forget your pes this Halloween!
Some pets love the hustle and bustle of Halloween, while others will find this spooky holiday a bit stressful. We recognize that animals are individuals, so while you enjoy the festivities, consider it from your pet’s perspective: A dog’s natural instinct is to protect their home or to alert you that a stranger has arrived, while cats typically prefer a quiet environment with their family. Trick-or-treaters continually knocking on the door or ringing the bell can be very stressful to both dogs and cats. Read on for our tips and tricks on taking the terror out of your pet's Halloween!
1. Halloween hype causes pet stress
Before the trick-or-treating starts, put your pets in a quiet room where they will be safe from all the Halloween activity. If your pup is likely to try to run out the front door and is comfortable in a crate, consider putting them in the crate with a treat-filled toy and some soft music playing in the background. A spritz of Feliway (find it on Amazon!) can help keep cats calm.
Minimize noise by sitting outside to keep trick-or-treaters from knocking on the door or ringing the bell.
Even if you are just having friends over for a Halloween party, keep your pets away from the festivities in their safe room. Masks and costumes change how people look and smell to a pet, so even familiar people may become frightening. Put a sign on the door to the safe room so your guests know it’s off-limits.
When going out trick-or-treating, leave your dog at home. Dogs can be easily excited by the Halloween commotion, and a bite or a lost dog will quickly end the evening’s fun.
2. Halloween candy—a treat for you, a trick for your pet(s)
Pre-Halloween and during trick-or-treating, keep candy safely stashed in a high cabinet secured with a lock or child-safety latch. Many foods, such as chocolate, gum, and xylitol (a sweetener used in many foods) are hazardous to pets.
Watch your kids! Children may make the harmful mistake of sharing their loot. Ensure they know the difference between a treat for them and a treat for their four-legged friends.
Keep the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline handy: 888-426-4435. (The hotline may charge a consultation fee.) If you suspect your pet has eaten something bad for them, call your veterinarian or the Poison Control Center immediately.
Pumpkins are good for dogs and cats, but too much can cause digestive issues. Rotting pumpkins may harbor bad bacteria, so keep jack o’lanterns safely away from becoming a holiday snack.
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