I can smell a whiff of mischief in the air. It’s Halloween season! Halloween is such a fun-filled season for kids and adults, but it can be a very scary time for your pets. It’s so important to consider your pets on Halloween. Many thanks to Rachael Ray Nutrish for sponsoring today’s discussion about Halloween safety tips for pets.
My dog, Winston, has had some fun on Halloween in the past. A few years back he enjoyed trick-or-treating in his Spider Man costume. Now that Winston has a timid little sister, Lilly, we try to keep Halloween a bit more low key for the family pets.
Here are few Halloween safety tips for pets to help keep your pet safe and stress-free:
1. Keep your pets indoors on Halloween. Sadly, animals (especially black cats) are at risk for cruel treatment by some Halloween pranksters. It’s best to keep your pets indoors, preferably in a quiet room away from the door where you will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
2. Just in case your pet slips out, be sure your cats and dogs are easily identified by a microchip, collar and ID tag.
3. Keep treats out of reach. Candy and Chocolate are a big no-no for pets. Chocolate and xylitol, a sweetener found in some candy, can be very toxic for pets. Lollipop sticks can be a choking hazard. Be sure all Halloween candy is outside of your pet’s reach. It’s a good idea to have a discussion with your children about the danger in letting your dog or cat have candy.
4. Be cautious with pet costumes. Most dogs and cats are happiest wearing nothing but their birthday suits. M dog, Winston, doesn’t seem to mind wearing a costume. Lilly, on the other hand, gets very upset if you try to put clothes on her or Winston.
If your pet will tolerate a costume, be sure to avoid masks and anything that covers the ears or eyes, or might get tangled in your pets legs. Check the costume for possible choking hazards, and make sure your pet can move freely and is comfortable.
5. Halloween decorations, especially jack-o-lanterns and candles, can be harmful to your pets. Please be mindful of potential dangers when putting up your Halloween decorations.
Why we LOVE Rachael Ray Nutrish!
Winston and Lilly absolutely love the taste of Nutrish dog food and treats. I love that it is made with healthy, natural ingredients. Rachel Ray created Nutrish Super Premium Food and Treats for dogs and cats working with a team of pet nutrition experts. The recipes which are inspired by tasty recipes from Rachael’s kitchen, contain no by-products, fillers, or junk ingredients. Plus Rachael’s proceeds help animals in need. Pretty awesome, right?
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
September 29, 2014 at 2:27 PMI love all of your tips! Our dog is a spaz, so we can’t take him out with us 🙁
Jaime says
September 29, 2014 at 3:55 PMOur cat is an indoor cat. It’s so easy for her to slip out too, so we have to be extra cautious when opening our front door all night. These are great tips for pet owners!
Liz Mays says
September 29, 2014 at 4:16 PMIt makes me ill to think that people would harm animals just because it’s a night of tricks. That’s really sad. These are great tips to make sure they’re properly cared for.
Pam says
September 29, 2014 at 7:18 PMOur dog, Rio, doesn’t mind wearing costumes. We always make sure we’re watching him closely while he’s dressed up though!
Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} says
September 29, 2014 at 7:56 PMOhh, these are great tips! I wouldn’t have thought of even half of these and we have 2 dogs! Thank you for sharing.
Emily @ Baby Dickey says
September 29, 2014 at 9:20 PMGreat tips! We always left my dog at home, he would not tolerate a costume haha, and he would DEFINITELY get into the chocolate if we left it anywhere in his reach!
Shell says
September 29, 2014 at 9:44 PMGreat tips! So smart to keep pets inside. For their safety and for the kids.
Kathy says
September 29, 2014 at 10:08 PMMy dog goes crazy at Halloween. We try to get him into Doggie Daycare to ensure he enjoys himself.
Katrina says
September 29, 2014 at 10:22 PMGreat tips, my kids want to bring our dog trick or treating so bad but he is insane so we usually leave him home.
Dawn says
September 29, 2014 at 11:01 PMThese are all great tips. Just so everybody knows, dark chocolate is the worst for dogs and white chocolate is hardly toxic at all. The cocoa is what’s so dangerous.
Veronica says
September 29, 2014 at 11:25 PMMy Rufus does not like to get dressed up. We will try it this year. Great tips too keeping pets safe
Kristin says
September 30, 2014 at 12:14 AMSo sick how people harm animal. Great tips thank you for sharing.
Cam | Bibs and Baubles says
September 30, 2014 at 1:16 AMAh! Your dog looks like my fur baby! She won’t even humor us with a costume!
Elizabeth Ferree says
September 30, 2014 at 9:46 AMGreat tips! I don’t have any fur babies but when I did I made sure to keep them indoors. Too many bad things can happen to pets on Halloween and that isn’t including cruel things people will do to them but they can get spooked, get ran over, etc.
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
September 30, 2014 at 9:51 AMGreat tips! I don’t think we’ve ever taken any of our 3 dogs out with us on Halloween, but Great tips for if we plan to!
laura says
September 30, 2014 at 11:09 AMI don’t have a dog, just a kitty kat who definitely does not go outside. But you are right and these are definitely great tips to share.
Lara says
September 30, 2014 at 11:43 AMGreat tips! I have to say I have never read an article for pet safety tips for Halloween! Who would of thought?? YOU! 🙂 Great post!
Becka @ Probably Crafting says
September 30, 2014 at 12:00 PMI am pretty sure that picture ranks high on my cutest picture ever scale. Spiderman and spider pup…lol I love it. Those are great tips.
Christie says
September 30, 2014 at 2:24 PMI can totally see pets getting skiddish around this holiday! So many kids and people walking around!
Krystal says
September 30, 2014 at 2:55 PMThis is such a great post. Everyone always focuses on child safety at this time of year, and that IS super important. We forget that Halloween can be just as dangerous – if not more so – for the varmints.
Debbie L. says
September 30, 2014 at 6:53 PMVery good reminders – Pets and Halloween can be fun but they also need more attention and planning.
Heather NC says
September 30, 2014 at 7:07 PMthese are great tips and need to pass along so other people to say safe on Halloween
Rosey says
September 30, 2014 at 7:38 PMI’ve never thought of pet safety and Halloween. You’re right though, and I’m sure there are tons others. Good food for thought.
Marina @ Mommy Snippets says
September 30, 2014 at 8:59 PMNow that’s creative! They are both pretty darn cute.
Cyndi @ MrsWrightWrites says
September 30, 2014 at 8:59 PMAdorable! Great tips too!
Amber Conaway says
September 30, 2014 at 9:04 PMThese are some great tips! It’s so cute when you see people’s pets dressed up!
Carly Anderson says
September 30, 2014 at 9:18 PMThese are some great tips. We definitely need to make sure we keep our pet safe and as stress-free as possible.
Chasing Joy says
September 30, 2014 at 10:27 PMThese are really great tips. I’m going to pin this post on my pet parents Pinterest Board.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
October 1, 2014 at 9:38 AMI really love my pets but I have never taken them trick or treating. Never saw the need when I was younger and now that I am older, because kiddo has 2 older bro and sis and a younger sis she spends Halloween with them instead of me and her dad. I do have a small dog and 2 has two Halloween costumes. One is a Captain America and the other is Wonder Woman.
Amanda says
October 1, 2014 at 11:05 PMThese are great tips! I never liked putting costumes on my dog, she hated it!
Donna says
October 1, 2014 at 11:17 PMGreat tips. We have a Shih Tzu and this will be his first Halloween, so I’m not sure how he will like (or dislike) wearing a costume… I guess will know soon. 🙂
April says
October 1, 2014 at 11:48 PMGreat tips! When I was newly married and pregnant a large group of kids came to the door. Well one of them picked up my miniature poodle when I turned around and put her in his treat bag. Yes, he stole my dog! She was gone two weeks before the little boys Grandma discovered her in his closet. He was feeding her left over table food. Luckily we had knocked on there door after she went missing and given her a flyer. She realized it was our dog and went looking for our flyer. I was so happy to have her back!
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
October 2, 2014 at 2:45 PMGreat list of tips to keep your fur babies safe! Our dog would freak at the amount of people on Halloween, so he stays home to greet trick or treaters. 🙂
Jenn says
October 2, 2014 at 5:23 PMI’d love to take my dogs with me, but they are a little rambunctious as it is, lol.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
October 2, 2014 at 9:22 PMNo worries here, our cat stays safely inside the house. Actually, under the bed and far, far away from trick-or-treaters.
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet says
October 3, 2014 at 8:28 AMAnother tip is to have your pet in the room when your getting ready and putting on your costume. Our dog Nellie totally freaked out when my son walked in wearing his Slenderman costume. (Frankly, so was I!) She started barking and I thought she was going to attack him! On Halloween night, I made sure she was there as he put the costume on. I had her sniff the costume and had my son talk to her as he put it on so she wasn’t scared of him.
Angela says
October 3, 2014 at 9:36 AMThat is such a great tip, Anne-Marie. Thank you!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
October 3, 2014 at 10:48 AMThose are some great tips. My dogs Mr. Pink and Chico don’t mind costumes or dress up. They will pretty much let you do anything to them if you give them some treats and rubs.
Tammy says
October 5, 2014 at 3:33 PMSeriously great tips – since I’m not a pet owner, it never occurred to me that pets need safety ‘rules’ for Halloween too! Lots going on that night, so it makes sense.