Halloween has always been my favorite holiday.
I love the whole production of it: the decorating, pumpkins, lights, finding the perfect costume, and, of course, finding entirely unnecessary additional costumes for two cats who already own more than enough.
But as much fun as Halloween can be for us, our pets may experience the night very differently.
For pet families in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton and throughout our surrounding communities, a little planning can make Halloween safer and much more enjoyable. Here are my Halloween pet safety tips to help you prepare.
Keep Halloween candy out of your pet’s reach
Chocolate can be toxic to both dogs and cats, although chocolate ingestion is much more common in dogs. The type of chocolate, the amount eaten, and the size of the pet all matter.
Some candies and gums may also contain xylitol, which can be extremely dangerous for dogs.
Keep candy bowls, trick-or-treat bags, wrappers, and anything containing chocolate or xylitol somewhere your pets cannot reach.
And remember that curious pets are very good at finding things we thought were safely put away.
Prevent escapes when greeting trick-or-treaters
Halloween night means doors opening over and over again.
Even pets who normally have excellent manners can become excited, frightened, or confused by costumes, strangers, and constant activity.
Before the trick-or-treaters arrive, make sure your pet is wearing an up-to-date identification tag and that their microchip information is current.
If your pet tends to rush the door, consider using a baby gate, leash, closed room, or another safe barrier while you are handing out candy.
Practice pet costumes before Halloween
Some pets genuinely enjoy dressing up.
Others absolutely do not.
If you would like your pet to wear a costume, do a few short practice sessions before Halloween night. Introduce the costume gradually, almost the same way you would introduce a new harness.
Let your pet sniff it. Put it on briefly. Offer praise or treats. Slowly increase the amount of time they wear it, as long as they remain comfortable.
Make sure the costume does not restrict breathing, movement, vision, hearing, or the ability to use the bathroom.
Most importantly, pay attention to what your pet is telling you.
Know when your pet needs a quiet Halloween
Pecan Pie and Lady Blue are accustomed to costumes, outings, photos, and activity.
That does not mean every pet enjoys the same things.
The doorbell ringing repeatedly, children yelling on the sidewalk, unusual costumes, flashing decorations, and constant visitors can be incredibly stimulating for some animals.
If your pet would rather skip Halloween altogether, that is perfectly okay.
Set them up somewhere quiet and comfortable with their bed, favorite blanket, treats, toys, or some relaxing background noise.
Maybe their perfect Halloween is not greeting trick-or-treaters at all.
Maybe it is a cozy movie night, a quiet evening by the fireplace, and getting to spend the night curled up beside you.
There really is no wrong way to celebrate.
The goal is simply to know your pet, respect what makes them comfortable, and find a way for everyone in the family to enjoy the evening.
Happy Halloween,