Halloween is a holiday full of plenty of tricks and treats, and some potential hazards for our pets. With our guide to Halloween pet safety, you can anticipate what can go wrong to keep your pet healthy, safe, and maybe even comfortable this year.

Checking ID

Unfortunately, many pets feel panic and anxiety this time of year. Mostly owing to the fact that they have no frame of reference for masks, make-up, scary sound effects, flashing lights, and terrible tricks, they respond to a strong fight-or-flight instinct. This can result in accidental loss or separation. If a pet isn’t microchipped or wearing ID tags, a safe return home is far from guaranteed.

• Please check on your contact information with your pet’s microchip manufacturer to ensure the national database is up to date.
• Invest in new ID tags and/or a new collar so that your pet can be easily identified and quickly returned to you.

Shorter Days

The nights are getting longer. This seasonal shift should signal a need for reflective gear, light up collar, and flashing LED accessories to wear for walks at dawn, dusk, or evening. This light-up approach comes in very handy for trick-or-treating with the kids, and can be used all winter long, as well. Avoid glow sticks, as they can cause a dangerous reaction if eaten.

Chocolate and Xylitol

Depending on the type of chocolate (white to dark to baker’s) and the amount consumed, chocolate toxicity is a veterinary emergency. Watch for signs of fast breathing, tremors, restlessness, vomiting or diarrhea and please call us at (714) 777-1677.

Xylitol, a common sugar alternative, is found in candy, gum, mints, baked goods, peanut butter and more. Loss or coordination, staggering, weakness, seizures, and collapse may be seen in this type of toxicity and require immediate intervention.

Halloween Pet Safety

Additional risks to pet health and safety on and around Halloween include:

• Costumes – Pet costumes should be soft, breathable, comfortable, and not restrictive of a pet’s movement or visibility. Remove any embellishments or accessories that could entrap, entangle, or lead to choking or GI obstruction. Watch for any signs of stress or anxiety, such as pacing, restlessness, lip licking, whining, and clinginess. Remove the costume before panic sets in.
• Decor – Anything extra that’s added to a pet’s normal environment should be given extreme side-eye. Ornamental corn, glow sticks, live flame candles (including candles in carved pumpkins), string lights, animatronic displays, and anything frightening or unfamiliar should stay in storage until your pet demonstrates a high degree of comfort and acceptance.

A Pet-Safe Halloween

A truly safe Halloween can be achieved by staying in all evening long. Turn off your exterior lights to deter trick-or-treaters and set up a cozy, quiet place for your pet to retreat to if they need a break from the noise. Spend time with them, provide reassurance, and distract them with tasty treats or fun games.

If we can assist you further with questions about Halloween pet safety, please call us at (714) 777-1677. Our team at Yorba Linda Pet Care Center is always happy to help your pet.