10 Halloween Pet Safety Tips

by Dr. Chris

October 20, 2010 Here are 10 Halloween pet safety tips to help keep your dogs and cats safe this holiday. Remember prevention and is the best approach to keeping dogs and cats away from harm. You may even want to print out these 10 Halloween pet safety tips to post on your refrigerator.

1. Chocolate

Baker's chocolate and dark chocolate are the most toxic forms of chocolate for pets. But even milk chocolate is toxic for pets in large amounts. because of this, it is best to avoid letting your pet have access to any form of chocolate.

2. Xylitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many sugar free candies. This is toxic to dogs and cats.

3. Poison Control Center

In case of accidents, it is important to have the ASPCA poison control center telephone number on your refrigerator. The phone number is 1-888-426-4435.

4. Electrical Cords

Many people have Halloween decorations that runoff of electricity. The electrical cords from these devices can pose a safety hazard for dogs and cats that might chew on them. So either run the electrical cords behind furniture or make sure you tape them down to the floor.

5. Pumpkin Candles

Some people put candles inside of their pumpkins to light them up. Dogs and cats can easily burn themselves by their own curiosity. But they can also knock over these candles, which might cause a fire.

6. Pet Costumes

If you do put your pet inside of a costume this holiday, make sure it is not so tight that it restricts their movements. Also make sure any masks that you put on do not blind your pets so that they end up running into furniture.

7. Open Doors

When the trick-or-treaters start to arrive, make sure you keep your pet away from open doors. Cats can easily sneak outside in all of the commotion. Also make sure your pets have an identification tag or pet microchips on them.

8. Quiet Rooms

If your pets are very shy, or easily worked up, just keep them in a quiet room in the back of the house. This prevents them from getting too excited, running out of the house, or eating something that they should not have eaten.

9. Tinfoil

Many candies come wrapped in tinfoil. Tinfoil can easily become trapped inside of your dog or cat's intestines if accidentally eaten.

10. Children

Be sure to take the time to discuss with your children these Halloween Pet Safety Tips. Pets should not be given any treats during Halloween unless with your permission.

Children often get very excited over Halloween and often forget that pets cannot be given candy and also forget the fact that few pets tolerate costumes.

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