How to Keep Your Pets Safe this Halloween

October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month. What a month to designate! October also brings us Halloween, and Halloween can be a particularly dangerous time for animals, coming, as it does, with candy, new decorations, and strangers knocking on the door.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take a lot of extra work to keep your pets safe this Halloween. It just takes a little bit of awareness and preparation.

Keep Pets Indoors

One of the most important things you can do to ensure your pet’s safety this Halloween is to keep him or her indoors. If you can, try to get your pets inside before the trick-or-treaters arrive. Walk your dog early if you have to!

The presence of so many strangers can be frightening for some dogs. They may feel compelled to flee—or to attack the strangers that seem to be approaching their home. You don’t want your dog or the neighborhood guests getting hurt, so get the walk out of the way early.

Cats face a different challenge. Black cats in particular are often the target of mischief makers on Halloween. In addition, in some areas of the country, old superstitions hold firm, and these poor cats are actively persecuted every day of the year. A black cat is better off as an indoor cat.

You might want to designate a room of your home for your pets on Halloween night. Close them inside with some favorite toys so they don’t dart out while you’re answering the door.

Tags and Microchips

Since it is National Animal Safety and Protection month it’s as good a time as any to make sure all of your pets have proper IDs and microchips, just in case something does happen. Even the most cautious pet owner can fall prey to an accident or a mistake. Good ID is the best way to maximize your chances of being reunited with your pet if something does go wrong.

Watch the Candy Bowl

Be careful where you put your Halloween treats. Many of the candies that come into the house on Halloween are extremely toxic to pets (especially the chocolates!) They don’t know those candies are trouble, however, and they may be inclined to scarf up something that looks tempting. Keep them out of your pet’s sight and out of your pet’s mind to stay safe.

Watch Your Decorations

Many pets like to chew on electric wires, so hang any decorations well out of their reach. And forget about candles! A glow-stick works just as well as a candle in a Jack-o-Lantern, and it won’t start a fire if a curious or careless pet accidentally knocks it into your drapes.

Have Fun!

You and your pets can have fun this Halloween with just a little bit of thought and extra care. Don’t stress—but do make sure you’re doing everything in your power to keep your pets comfortable and safe while goblins and ghouls roam the neighborhood. Happy Halloween!