Halloween Safety Tips For Pet Parents

Halloween is a time of ghosts and ghouls and is a holiday that is going nowhere. Celebrated throughout America, Halloween is now becoming increasingly popular within the UK. A lot of pet parents are getting on board.

Our pets are part of the family. Which means we don’t want them to miss out on any of the fun and excitement we might be having. Therefore try to include them in our activities and different events as much as possible.

However, there are times when we perhaps should reconsider involving our pets. Sometimes they would just prefer to be the spectator. 

Dressing up Dogs and Cats at Halloween

There are some extremely cute costumes out there for cats and dogs. Everyone wants a bat dog or a spider cat at Halloween. Especially if it’s trending on social media, but have you read the signals? Does your pet actually feel comfortable wearing a Halloween costume? And have you considered the dangers that come with some of these tiny outfits?

If this is your pet’s first time wearing a costume. Treat them the same way you would if they were getting their first harness or floating device/life jacket. Allow your cat or dog to see, smell, feel and explore this new item. Giving them plenty of space should they want to escape, especially cats. When they seem comfortable, why not try to place their new outfit on them whilst looking out for signs of distress? 

If your pet appears to be uncomfortable, remove the outfit immediately until they are calm and relaxed. Have their favourite toy nearby as well as some of their favourite treats, this should help them to create a positive association with their Halloween costume or any other Halloween accessory. 

Like with a new dog harness, don’t keep them in their outfit for long, gradually build up the time they are wearing it. Never force your pet into wearing anything they don’t want to, even if it’s new and you are excited to try it out. Forcing your pet will cause them to become stressed, anxious, and untrusting which is something that no pet parent wants. Another tip is to remain calm and don’t raise your voice or lose your temper because again this could cause issues for you and your pet in the long run. 

Possible signs that your dog or cat might be uncomfortable in their new Halloween outfit are the obvious ones like bearing their teeth, biting, barking, scratching or growling and the not-so-obvious ones like becoming extremely quiet and still, ears back, along with yawning or continuously licking. If your pet displays any of these signs then a Halloween costume may not be for them. 

If you really want to get your pet involved in this spooky day there are alternatives to Halloween costumes, for example, Halloween-themed collars, leads, or bandanas. Pets Remedy has also created a Calming Spray that can be used on their skin, coat, or their beds for comfort. This spray is great for this time of the year, it will keep them calm and free from any stresses. 

Try to avoid outfits with dangly bits or buttons because these can be removed easily from chewing and the pulling of tiny claws. Any excess or loose fabric that hangs off can be caught in furniture within the house or catch fire to any candles that may be lit. Avoid covering your pet’s eyes, most outfits don’t include face masks but some do and this could confuse your pet as well as reduce their vision. 

Outfits that include glitter or sequins are not good for the environment, more and more retailers are becoming future-focused, thinking about the planet, and are therefore not stocking products that include both glitter and sequins. 

Keep Halloween Treats Away From Your Pets

Halloween costumes are only one of the dangers that we need to be aware of at this time of the year. Treats are one of the big dangers, whether you are in a house giving out treats, a house that has children bringing in treats after a night of trick or treating, or perhaps a house hosting a Halloween-themed party stacked with goodies our pets can only dream of. 

Chocolate is extremely toxic and can cause serious harm if our pets ingest it, if you think your four-legged friend has gotten their paws on some then contact your local vet as soon as possible. 

One that surprises most people is sweets, these can be a lot more damaging than chocolate, especially if they contain the ingredient xylitol, a natural alternative to sugar and highly dangerous for our dogs. 

Store any treats out of reach from your pets and make sure there are no empty wrappers because if consumed these too can cause internal damage to your pets. Empty crisp packets and party bags should be binned and split open to avoid pets getting their faces stuck inside and panicking.  

To ensure your pooch doesn’t feel left out over Halloween. Why not pick up some of Rosewood’s Halloween-themed treats? If you want to get creative Oggie’s oven has some Bake-At-Home treats available in our stores. They come with a bone cookie cutter. But if you want to mix it up. Why not get a bat or a ghost cutter to create some other spooky characters for your four-legged friends? 

Grapes can be a popular option at Halloween parties. Especially for creating spooky eyes, these are another dangerous food for pets. Avoid using them if possible as they can cause kidney failure in dogs. 

How to keep your pet safe from Halloween decorations 

If you are planning a Halloween party or perhaps just want to decorate your house to get into the Halloween spirit. Especially if you are expecting trick-or-treaters, then preparation is important. 

To pets, decorations seem nothing more than a new fun toy. The difference is, that decorations aren’t designed to be pulled, or chewed. And most importantly not ingested which is what happens when your pets get their paws on them. 

Spider webs are often the perfect choice when creating a creepy space. Unfortunately, cats love nothing more than a dangling piece of fabric to get their claws into. Pulling down one of these will be done in a matter of seconds. Be sure to secure them properly and have the web hanging high enough so that your cat or dog can’t reach them. This should prevent them from getting tangled up and panicking. The webs aren’t the only danger, sometimes small rubber spiders accompany them, cats and dogs have a habit of playing with the spiders which can then shortly be followed by swallowing these pieces of decoration resulting in injury. 

Pumpkins, if you don’t have one of these in your home in October, are you even celebrating Halloween? Although festive, pumpkins pose their own threats to pets. Pumpkins with candles placed inside can be knocked over by excited pets which can cause fires. Some pets may be tempted to eat them and although they are not toxic. They can sometimes cause upset stomachs, especially if not cooked properly or very old and rotten. 

Candles, a popular choice this time of the year, especially all the Halloween-themed ones are an invitation to curious cats. If possible opt for some LED candles. They may not have the scent of pumpkin spice, but they will still create an atmosphere. Avoiding any chance of a fire if your cat or dog knocks one over.

More and more homes are getting creative with their Halloween decorations. This includes lights both inside and outside the home. Scaring people and getting involved in Halloween has become fun. If you have pets, think about how to be safe when installing these electrical decorations. Can my dog or cat bite through the wire? Will they pull or trip up on any electrical wires or accessories?

There are a few other precautions you can take to ensure your pets are safe this Halloween. If you decide to take them for a walk. Especially when there are young excitable children hunting for sweets, keep them on a tight lead. They might become afraid, especially of any hooded or masked children. Try to walk them in the early evening before it gets dark.

Create a den for your cat or dog indoors. Especially if you are hosting a party or the doorbell keeps ringing with trick-or-treaters. As this might spook your pet unsettling them. Cover their bed or a crate with their favourite blankets. Not leaving out some treats and toys to keep them entertained throughout the night. Alternatively, leave treats outside to prevent the doorbell from ringing and disturbing both you and your pets. 

As always, if you have any questions regarding your pets and their safety at Halloween. Call in to one of our stores where you can speak to a member of our team. Who can assist you with any of our products to help you get through this season. Alternatively, you can always reach out to a member of our team via our website or social channels.