USPCA | Halloween Pet Safety
Halloween Pet Hazards
With spooky season just around the corner we have some top tips and tricks to ensure it’s a fun time of year for all, including companion animals. Pets are such an important part of the family, its only natural to want them to feel safe and ensure they enjoy the festivities. So, keep reading to find out how you can help your furry friend.
Strange sights, smells and sounds can be very overwhelming for pets. To protect your companion animal from feeling stressed you must consider how your pet handles fireworks. They are often a staple in many Halloween celebrations, but they can be very stress-inducing for animals.
Have a look at some of our top tips to help make your pet feel safe and secure over the Halloween period:
- We advise you exercise your four-legged friend earlier in the day before firework displays begin.
- It can be beneficial to feed your dog before the fireworks start as they may become unsettled and not want to eat once the fireworks have started.
- Ensuring your animal is microchipped and has an ID tag is very important. It’s especially important around this time of the year as it will help identify your pet if they run off due to fear of fireworks and other noises. Please ensure your microchip details are up to date.
- Make your furry companion feel secure by pulling the curtains and keeping a television or radio switched on. This will help to distract your pet from the sound of fireworks, the noise of doorbells, and shouting children.
- If your pet is distressed, try not to leave it alone. Your pet will look to you for reassurance, we recommend carrying on as if nothing is out of the ordinary as this will help normalise the situation for your pet.
- Provide a secure and comfortable spot for your pet to hide in if they need to. Give your pet a cosy blanket and some of its favourite toys. Provide your pet with the option to play or retreat into a place where it is comfortable.
- If you are planning on having a firework display, alert your neighbours and make them aware in case they have pets.
- If you feel that your pet becomes extremely stressed and overwhelmed with firework displays, then we recommend chatting to the USPCA veterinary team. There are a variety of medications and treatments that can help with this to calm your pet and make it feel more secure. Some medications can take up to a week for the pet to feel the effects, so it is best to speak to the vets in advance of Halloween night.
In addition to our top tips, we have some Halloween hazards you should be aware off to protect your pet’s health:
Decorations – Who doesn’t love some spooky decorations? When choosing decorations be mindful of some of your smaller decorations as they are potentially chewing or choking hazards for your pet.
Pet Costumes – We understand you may want to get your furry companion involved in the spooky fun but be mindful of costumes and your pet’s safety and comfort. Avoid costumes that use elastic bands and head accessories as these can obscure your pet’s vision. If at any stage your pet begins to show signs of distress or discomfort, please remove the costume immediately.
Sweets and Chocolate – At Halloween there is usually an abundance of tasty sweets and chocolate in our homes. These can be poisonous to our furry friends so it’s extremely important to ensure they are kept out of the way. Raisins can also be toxic for some dogs. Ensure to make children aware of the dangers of sharing their treats with the family pets. Additionally, make them aware on how to correctly dispose of their sweetie wrappers as they are choking hazards for our four-legged friends. If your pet has ingested something harmful, please seek veterinary advice immediately.
From all the team here at USPCA, we wish you and your entire family (pets included), a very happy and safe Halloween!
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