Halloween can be a festive holiday for people, but it can be downright scary for our furry friends. Here are a few tips from the Dumb Friends League to keep your pets safe and ensure this October 31 doesn’t turn into a nightmare for you and your critters:

• Keep the Halloween treats out of reach—candy, especially chocolate, can make your pet sick and can even be fatal.
    
• Put your pets in a separate room away from the door during peak trick-or-treating times. This will help reduce stress associated with constant visitors in strange costumes. It will also prevent them from darting outside when the door is open.
    
• Keep your pets indoors. Pets that are out at night with trick-or-treaters might get spooked by noises and costumes, which could cause them to run away.
    
• Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If, for any reason, your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar, ID tag and microchip can be lifesavers, increasing the chances that your pet will be returned to you.
    
• Wires and cords from decorations should be kept out of reach, as they can become dangerous if chewed. Your pet could cut or burn himself or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

If your pet enjoys dressing up for the holiday, here are some costume safety guidelines to prevent a frightful night:

• Don’t restrict your pet’s ability to walk and sit down comfortably.
    
• Avoid making your pet wear a mask that covers his eyes, ears or nose.
    
• Don’t put your pet in a costume that makes it difficult to breathe. This is especially important for flat-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs and Pekingese.
    
• Always supervise your pet while in costume. Pieces of the costume, when chewed, can pose a choking hazard.
    
• Read your pet’s body language when he’s wearing a costume—if he looks miserable, he probably is.
    
• Alternatives to dressing up your pet could be a festive bandanna or collar.

For more information on the Dumb Friends League, visit ddfl.org or call (303) 751-5772