Halloween Night: Tips for Pet Owners

With Halloween coming up, there's a lot of scary fun to be had for all members of the family - except your pets! What's a fun and freaky night for children, teens, and adults can frighten or endanger pets. Let our veterinarian at Richview Animal Hospital remind you of the hidden dangers Halloween poses for pets, and how you can avoid them. 

What are Halloween Dangers for Pets?

Top of mind for Halloween dangers are chocolate and candy. Chocolate is toxic to pets, and candies that contain artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, are poisonous too. 

A lit jack-o-lantern can be a hazard as well. A pet poking around that carved pumpkin could singe their whiskers. Or a playful pup could knock over the jack-o-lantern and cause a fire. 

On Halloween, you open the door to give out candy. Every time the door is open, your pet has a chance to escape. The risk is greater for pets who are not microchipped or wearing updated identification tags since there will be no way to reunite you with your pet. 

Tips from Our Etobicoke Vet to Keep Pets Safe on Halloween 

The best place for your pets on Halloween night is inside, away from any parties, trick-or-treaters, or candy dishes. Since black cats are a symbol of Halloween, they may be targeted by pranksters. Keep black cats indoors. 

The last thing you need is a pet dashing through an open door when a group of trick-or-treaters knocks. You'll enjoy the night more, and so will your pets, when they're out of sight. 

Keep candy dishes high out of reach of pets before, during, and after Halloween night. A child's secret candy stash could be deadly to pets. Candy wrappers could become lodged in your pet's throat, becoming a choking hazard. 

Keep pets away from all Halloween decor, including carved pumpkins and spooky yard or front porch decorations. If your pet eats Halloween decorations, they could choke or develop a blockage that would require emergency surgery. This can get expensive and very dangerous, especially if you do not catch it in time.  

While you may want to dress your pet up and take them trick-or-treating, this is often stressful for your furry friend. Most pets dislike feeling constrained, as they do in masks and costumes. Pets might trip on costumes. Loud parties of trick-or-treaters can also stress pets out. If your dog becomes anxious, they could break free and become lost, putting an end to the Halloween fun. A scared, lost dog may be more likely to bite as well.

Contact Your Local Vet in Etobicoke Today!

As your vet in Etobicoke, we are here for pet emergencies as well as preventative health needs. If your pet accidentally ingests Halloween candy, eats their costume, or simply needs medical care, we are here for you. Contact us ahead of time if you have any questions about keeping your pets safe on Halloween, or reserve an appointment for pet care: 416-245-8805.