Happy Halloween

Pet Safety Tips!

While Halloween is an exciting and fun holiday for children and adults, it’s not a treat for our four legged friends.  The sounds, costumes and trick-or-treaters are disturbing to most pets and cause a great deal of anxiety. The candy treats and decorations can be downright dangerous.  While you’re enjoying this holiday, make sure your pets have a safe place where they are comfortable and secure from the hazards and commotion of this spooky and fright-filled holiday.

Separate for safety

• Before the trick-or-treating starts, put your pets in a quiet room where they will be safe from all the Halloween activity.
• Even if you are just having friends over for a Halloween party, keep your pets away from the festivities in their safe room. Masks and costumes change how people look and smell to a pet, so even familiar people may become frightening.
• When going out trick-or-treating, LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME. Dogs can be easily excited by the Halloween commotion, and a bite or lost dog will quickly end the evening’s fun.

Keep treats out of reach

• After you’ve let your pets out of their safe room, place treats safely in out of reach area.   Many foods, such as chocolate, gum, are hazardous to them.
• Make sure your children are aware of the dangers of sharing their sweet treats with you four-legged friends.
• Keep on hand the number for the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline: 888-426-4435. (The hotline charges a fee of $65 per case.) If you suspect your pet has eaten something that’s bad for her, call your veterinarian or the Poison Control Center immediately.

The dangers of decorating

• Introduce your pets to their safe room before you decorate indoors. Changes to your home can make your pets, especially cats, nervous or frightened.
• Never leave your pets alone with Halloween decorations.
• Be aware of which decorations pose threats. Here’s a partial list of dangerous decorations: rubber eyeballs (choking risk), glow sticks and fake blood (possible poisons), fake cobwebs (can choke or entangle pets and wildlife), potpourri (toxic to birds), and strung lights.

Be cautious with pet costumes

• You might think decorating your pets is cute, but remember that most pets are happiest wearing nothing but their birthday suits.
• If you do choose a costume for your pet, forgo masks, anything that covers eyes or ears, and something that might tangle in your pet’s legs.
• Make sure the costume is comfortable and allows your pet to move freely.
• Remove any chewable parts or objects that could come off and choke your pet.
• If your pet appears uncomfortable, take off the costume. Signs of discomfort include folded down ears, eyes rolling back or looking sideways, a tucked tail, and hunching over.

Protect your pets from outdoor dangers

• You should never leave you pet outdoors unattended, as we have many deadly predators in AZ, but on Halloween it’s especially important to secure all pets inside.  CATS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT OUTSIDE TO ROAM FREELY!
• Some of our pets are proven escape artists, while others could accidentally get out with the repeated opening/closing of the door.   Please make sure that all of your pets are wearing tags with current IDs (and consider microchipping them). Proper ID will help you reunite with your lost pet.
• When you take your dog out for a potty break, you may come across wile animals, just keep your distance and make a lot of noise (and keep your dog safely beside you on a leash, too), continue on your way.

These are just a few tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween. Enjoy but be smart!