How to Protect your Pets on Halloween
With all the information on protecting the ghosts and goblins running around at Halloween, our pets may be neglected in this category. What can you do to make sure your beloved pet is safe during this season? The following are some things to keep in mind as you and your pet have a safe holiday.
1. Mind the decorations. Along with the Halloween holiday comes a myriad of decorations, at your home or in your neighborhood that may be a safety hazard to your pets. If your animal has a tendency to get into or chew those kinds of things, you may want to make sure the items are safe to chew on or forego decorations where your pet can get to them. Make sure your pet cannot get tangled up or choked up in anything and that accessible items are non-toxic.
2. Keep candy out of reach. Candy, while it may be yummy to you and your pet, it can be very dangerous to your pet. Aside from a choking hazard, things like chocolate can be toxic for your pet. Even ingredients that are not toxic to the pet, in large amounts, can cause problems to your pet’s digestive system, making problems for him or her and more work for you.
3. Keep them tied up or inside. Especially as the trick-or-treaters are out, you will want to keep a close watch on your pet. Not only can harm come to the pet, but the pet, in all the excitement and with strangers running around, may harm a child. If your pets go outside, you may want to have them contained in some way so they cannot run free for the above reasons and because others may be out to have a bit of fun at your pet’s expense.
4. Watch out for trick-or-treaters coming to your home. With the door opening and closing so much as you pass out treats; the danger of the pet slipping out multiplies. There is also the danger of the pet harming a child in all the excitement. You may want to put the pet in a closed room or block them off from the door in some way to make sure everyone stays safe.
5. Leave your pet at home or use a leash. If you have a dog and want to take him or her with you as you take your children around, make sure the dog is on a leash. This makes sense for protection for your dog and for the other children and parents. If at all possible, it is best to leave the pet at home, but if you must, make sure the animal is not allowed to run free. Even a normally well-behaved animal may have issues in an unusual situation such as those found at Halloween. Beware of cars as well. Halloween is a big time for impaired drivers to be on the road.
Your pet deserves all the care you would give your children when it comes to protecting them from danger. No one can remove all danger, but by being careful to keep an eye on your pet at all times, keep him or her from ingesting or getting tangled in Halloween items and keeping them from harm outdoors, you can make this a safer holiday for your beloved pet.
