Pet Health: 5 Tips to Keep Pets Safe This Halloween & Thanksgiving

It’s official! Fall is here! Pumpkins, yummy fall flavored foods and drinks, and cozy comfy sweaters and blankets. I love the fall, don’t you?

With all the amazing things that come with this seasonal shift, it also means Halloween and Thanksgiving are right around the corner.

Let’s brush up on some safety tips so you can include your pet in the fall holiday fun!

Like I said in the blog post I did back in the spring- this is not to make you fearful of these things, but more so, to equip you with the knowledge to make sure your pet is kept safe and out of harm's way.

5 Tips to Keep Pets Safe This Halloween & Thanksgiving

1. Stash the Treats
2. Use pet-safe decorations
3. Be careful with costumes
4. Keep the feast on the table
5. Keep your pets indoors

#1 Stash the Treats

The candy bowl not only looks delicious to you but to your pet too! Remember, many popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets.

Below are the top two to be aware of:

• Chocolate in all forms- especially dark or baking chocolate
• Sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause serious problems

Bring your pet to the vet immediately if you think they have eaten anything they shouldn’t have. You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline # 855-764-7661. Here is a link to their website as well. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com

Just remember to keep all treats in a spot where your fur baby can’t reach them.

#2 Use pet-safe decorations

While a carved pumpkin is certainly festive for Halloween, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire.

Tip: Instead, use a battery-operated candle. You can pick them up at your local craft store. Use a few to get that good candle flickering effect.

Popular Thanksgiving decorations such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered non-toxic, but if your pets have a tendency to nibble or chew things- they may cause some stomach discomfort.

Also, keep out of reach any decorations with wires, garlands and anything that can be choking hazards and dangerous to your pet.

#3 Be careful with costumes

While costumes can be incredibly adorable on pets it can cause stress in some cats and dogs.

If you do dress up your fur baby for Halloween, make sure to go over the list below for a costume check.

• It doesn’t limit your pets’ movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow
• Make sure it doesn’t have anything small, dangling or pieces that could be easily chewed-off
• Be sure to have your pet try it on before the big night to see how they react in it
• Watch for overheating

If, for whatever reason, your fur baby seems distressed, there are other options out there that are just as cute. Remember not all pets enjoy wearing a costume.

For some great alternative options, take a look at our Halloween Collars and Bowties.

#4 Keep the feast on the table

I’m sure you’ve heard of pancreatitis. Well, did you know that if pets eat turkey or turkey skin, even a small amount sometimes, it can cause this life-threatening condition? These fatty foods are hard for dogs and cats to digest.

Keep in mind also that many human foods that are healthy for us are poisonous to your fur baby. This includes onions, raisins and grapes.

I’m not saying don’t give your pet a yummy Thanksgiving treat, just be sure to either make or buy one that is made just for them. There are plenty of fun recipes you can make that are safe for pets to consume.

#5 Keep your pets indoors

Halloween night is known for its trick-or-treaters. There will be a lot of people out and about, driving around in their vehicles as well. So it’s best to keep your pets inside where they can be kept safe.

Remember to gauge your animal's behavior. While taking them with you as you trick-or-treat in your neighborhood sounds fun, it could make them uneasy, and stressed out. The last thing you want to do is have to carry them or, worse, chase them down the street if they get away.

If your pet reacts to the doorbell or a knock on the door, consider keeping them away from the front door. Create a secluded hideaway where they feel safe and have all their creature comforts with them. If you need help with calming them down when guests come over, read last month’s blog. I explained many ways that you can help them with that. 

I hope you found this post helpful and resourceful. Overall, it’s important to me to be able to help you prevent any mishaps that may occur this Halloween and Thanksgiving. So, with that being said, I wish you a very Happy Halloween and Thanksgiving with your pet!