5 important tips to keep your pets safe and happy this Halloween season

Tip: If it’s your pet’s first time wearing a costume this Halloween, spend a few days before the big holiday getting them acclimated to wearing it. Keep in mind, some pets are just not fans of wearing costumes and would much rather wear a festive collar or bandanna instead.

You may be a fan of the spookiest time of year, but for your pet, this haunting holiday can be truly scary.

Not to worry, though, enjoying the festivities and keeping your pets safe is easier than you think. Follow these 5 tips to ensure your pet has a safe Halloween this season:

1. Keep candy and chocolate out of reach. Xylitol, caffeine, and theobromine are all toxic ingredients to pets–even in small amounts.

2. Take care with your decorations. Fake spider webs or plastic toys can be ingested, and curious puppies and kittens can easily knock over candles and jack-o-lanterns, causing severe burns.

3. Set up a calm environment for your pet. The continuous ringing of the doorbell and the flurry of strangers can make your pet anxious. Keep your pet away from the action and turn on the TV or a white noise machine.

4. Make sure your pet’s identification is up to date. With the front door constantly opening and closing, there is always a chance your pet could dash out of the house. Keep your pet’s ID tag and microchip information current to drastically increase the chances of your being reunited.

5. You may want to skip the Halloween costume. Unless your pet is completely comfortable with it, avoid dressing them up, to reduce any undue stress. If your dog or cat does enjoy wearing a costume, make sure there are no buttons, sequins, strings,

No plans for Halloween? Spend the day getting to know some of our adoptable animals.