Keeping your pet safe during Halloween

1.Your pet may look adorable in his new costume, but that cape won’t necessarily keep him out of harm’s way. Dressing up your pet for Halloween can be harmful. Costumes should not constrict the animal’s movement, hearing or sight, or impede their ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, it may be helpful to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, don’t bother.
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2.Before you and your dog/cat  participate in any Halloween activities, take a closer look at his costume and make sure it does not have small pieces that he could choke on.  Remember cats love to grab things that dangle.  Also, watch out for  outfits which can  can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

3. Putting make-up or face paint on your pet can be harmful. Paints could potentially irritate their skin, or may be eaten. Even make-up that is non-toxic could cause stomachaches.

4.Candy bags are strictly for the enjoyment of trick-or-treaters, not your pet. Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate, can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Give your pooch their own Halloween candy by treating them to their favorite doggy snack. If you do suspect that your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or your local control center immediately.

5. Keep an eye out for decorative edible items like Halloween pumpkins and candy corn, when participating in this year’s festivities with your pet. While these are considered to be relatively nontoxic, they can be harmful, causing stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

6.Do not take your pets trick or treating. It’s possible that your dog could get spooked by a ghost goblin and a dog bite or fight could occur.

7.It is also a good idea to keep a leash handy if you are handing out candy and your dog is on the lively side. It’s easier to control them with the leash, than with your hip at the crack of your front door

8.Use common sense, take a few extra precautions to be safe, and have fun on you Halloween hauntings.


I know this is not the norm for this site, however, I think the safety of our four legged friend is very important during the holiday seasons and I will also at some point be including tastey treat recipes for both dogs and cats...