Halloween Pet Safety Tips
Halloween is a highlight of the year for many of us, with adventurous costumes, spooky decorations, and of course, tons of candy. But for pets, Halloween can be a confusing and even scary time.
From the constant ringing of the doorbell to people appearing in strange outfits—not to mention the tempting treats all around—it’s easy for furry family members to get overwhelmed.
Whether your pet loves the chaos or hides under the bed, these tips from Crossroads Animal Hospital will help them stay safe and stress-free.
Keep Candy Out of Paw’s Reach
Candy is one of the top dangers for pets and stressors for pet parents. It’s delicious for humans, but it poses all sorts of risks for pets. Sugar-free candy or gum usually has xylitol, an extremely harmful ingredient for animals. Chocolate can make dogs and cats sick. Wrappers, sticks, and small pieces of hard candy can get stuck in a curious pet’s airway.
The fix is fairly simple: keep all candy in bowls or containers far from your pet’s reach. Remind kids not to leave their treat bags on the floor (we all know how fast a curious dog can find a snack).
Better yet, have some pet-friendly treats on hand so your pets—and the kids who love them—don’t feel left out. Raw carrot sticks, apple slices (without the seeds), and favorite doggy biscuits or kitty treats can stand in for Halloween candy.
Think Twice About Costumes
We all love cute Halloween costumes, and few things are more adorable than seeing our pets dressed up as hot dogs, cupcakes, or superheroes.
But not every pet enjoys dressing up. If your pet seems nervous or uncomfortable in their costume, it’s totally okay to skip the outfit. A festive collar or bandana works just as well as a complicated getup.
If your pet does like wearing a costume, make sure it fits well and doesn’t block their vision, breathing, or movement. Avoid any costumes with small parts your dog or cat could chew off.
And never leave your pet unsupervised while they’re in costume. Wardrobe accidents can happen fast.
Double-Check Their ID
With all the commotion of Halloween—open doors, trick-or-treaters, and spooky sounds—it’s easy for pets to slip out the door unnoticed. That’s why pet ID is so important this time of year.
Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with an up-to-date ID tag. If they’re microchipped, check that your contact info is current in the system—and if they aren’t microchipped, now is the ideal time to get that done.
If your pawsome pal happens to sneak out, a good ID can help get them back home safe and sound.
Halloween Pet Safety in Zion Crossing, VA
The caring team at Zion Crossing Animal Hospital is here to help all area pets get ready for a safe, successful Halloween. We offer wellness visits, microchipping, and immunizations to get your furry family members ready for the holiday season.
Call us today at (540) 832-1751 to schedule an appointment!