Halloween is just around the corner and eerie young creatures will soon be roaming the streets for their fill of candy. Your pet might not be used to this amount of excitement and energy, which could potentially make him or her feel anxious.
The following tips will help your pet remain calm and relaxed while you can sit back and enjoy the show Halloween night has to offer:
- If your pet has a tendency of getting agitated when the doorbell rings, why not sit on your front porch with her, if the weather permits, to greet your visitors? If you have a dog, make sure she is on a leash so people feel comfortable approaching you, and so that your four legged friend doesn’t run after a Zombie walking by.
- Include your pet in the Halloween tradition by dressing him up for the occasion. Find a costume that is comfortable and safe for him while making sure he feels at ease, as some pets do not like to wear clothing.
- Some pets are territorial, especially dogs. The sound of children loudly requesting for candies while the door is repeatedly opening and closing could make them nervous and growl. Keeping your pet away from the action in a separate room can prevent such behaviour.
- For dog parents, bring your pup out trick or treating with the family. You’ll probably be out walking for quite some time and your dog will be happy to tag along for the exercise and excitement. Attach a small light or reflective gear to your pup’s harness or leash to ensure your pet is noticeable once the evening gets dark.
- Did you know that the four most common food-related Halloween hazards for pets are chocolate, candy overindulgence, raisins and candy wrappers? The most problematic candy is chocolate since pets cannot metabolize it as well as humans can. Therefore, keeping the candy bowl out of your pet’s reach is critical to his or her safety. You should also keep your candies in a plastic container once Halloween night is over, and make sure no candy wrappers or Halloween decorations are laying around for your pet to ingest. If you think your pet ate candy, wrappers or any potentially harmful objects, contact the Pet Poison Helpline, which is a 24-hour animal poison control service available throughout Canada and the U.S., or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control, which is a 24-hour service available 365 days. Consultation fees may apply for both services.
Have fun and be safe on this spooky and exciting night!