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Halloween Pet Safety Tips from the Dumb Friends League

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 Leave a Comment

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

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