Halloween is what you make of it and to many it is a fun and fanciful journey filled with thrills, chills and gob loads of candy. What other holiday encourages unbridled candy consumption while donning frightful masks and costumes and runnin
g around the neighborhood as your favorite comic book hero?
However, despite all the human frivolity, your pet companions might have an entirely different impression of this spookey holiday filled with lots of strangers at the door, open bowls of toxic chocolates, and Xylitol laced candies.
If you have a new pet or have moved to a new home with your pet, being prepared for Halloween and creating a Pet Friendly environment over the festive holiday can mean the difference between your pet being safe at home and a missing and or injured pet or worse.
When it comes to a safe and PET FRIENDLY Halloween for your Fuzz Family remember the top three tips for keeping your pets danger free over All Hallows Eve.
THE DANGER:
Fright May Induce Fight or Flight!
Imagine one night your door bell ringing relentlessly with a parade of strangers in masks making demands. On any other day aside from Halloween this event would be surprising, scary weird, and completely unexpected. Your frightened pet has no understanding that this could be a harmless coordinated human activity and thus his reaction to the sound and sight of tricker or treaters might indeed induce a fight or flight reaction.
THE REMEDY:
Crate In a Safe Place, Update ID Tags!
If your dog barks or becomes aggressive when there are people at the door, do everyone a favor and put them in their crate in a room away from the front door. This can also be said for skittish cats and other household pets. Putting music or a television on can help distract from the noise of strangers moving around outside. Make sure that microchip and pet ID tag information is current and up to date especially if you have recently moved.
THE DANGER:
Children, Chocolate, Candy, and Candles With Your Pet!
NEVER leave the 4 C’s of Children, Chocolate, Candy, and Candles unattended with your pet and it can easily happen on Halloween. Children love candy, they share candy, and unfamiliar children might think that sharing a chocolate treat with your pet is all in the spirit of the holiday. Chocolate is toxic to many pets, sugar as well as artificial sweeteners like Xylitol can cause serious health problems and even death when consumed in large enough amounts. Candles are perfect for that spooky ambience but pet tails, trickster shenanigans, and open flame can really light up the night with your home burning to the ground as a result of candles being knocked over by pets or rascals.
THE REMEDY:
Put a Lid On Candy Containers, No Unattended 4 C's!
If you have a pet in the home, keep trick or treat 
candy in a lidded bowl or container if left unattended. Make sure children know not to feed candy or chocolate especially to your pet and never leave your pet unattended with trick or treaters. Don’t leave candles burning unattended especially with pets or children in the room.
THE DANGER:
Improvised pet costumes and strangulation hazards!
While you may think you would never create a costume that would accidentally strangle your pet, a frightened pet in an unfamiliar costume might get entangled and strangle itself by accident in the struggle to free itself. Be weary of your construction when making a costume for your pet. Not all pets will tolerate a costume, never force your pet to wear a costume.
THE REMEDY:
Make sure it's easy to breath and move!
When making a costume for your pet do not create a 
situation where circulation is cut off or where breathing or panting is impared. Make sure that movement is not restricted and that the costume material is not abrasive where skin and costume make contact. Make sure your pet costume if purchased is actually made for the species and size of your pet and that it permits them to move and breath easily. Do not leave your pet unattended in a costume and monitor your pet while they are wearing it to make sure they are comfortable and not overheated.
Have a Safe &
Happy Halloween!
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