by Jennifer Sharpe
Halloween is its own season, which starts well before October 31.
Stores are teasing costumes with their back-to-school supplies, and decorating for Halloween becomes more extensive each year. For our pets, it can be a stressful and even potentially risky time, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.
Here are some tips for enjoying Halloween safely with your pets.
Costume Concerns
The retail world wants us to believe that all pets need to dress up in costumes, but the reality is that not all dogs and cats tolerate apparel in the same way.
“If you want to dress your dogs or cats up for Halloween, don’t start on Halloween,” said Kathy Martin, owner of OKKat Photography in Oklahoma City. “Start the process way early by putting your dog or cat in the outfit, and reward it for being in the outfit. Make sure your pet has a good time while in a costume so that it’s not a fight come Halloween.”
“It’s best to introduce the costume slowly and early so that the pet can become accustomed to wearing it, especially if the animal isn’t used to dressing up,” said Melissa Raymond, D.V.M., clinical assistant professor and primary care clinician at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Watch for signs of discomfort, Raymond said, such as pets yawning, licking their lips, not wanting to move, folding their ears down, looking sideways, or trying to escape.
“Pet costumes should fit comfortably and should not block sight, hearing, or breathing or inhibit movement. There should not be small parts that could be chewed off, and watch for things like ties that could pose a strangulation risk. Never leave a pet unsupervised while in costume,” Raymond said.
Not all pets will be comfortable in costume. If dressing up isn’t feasible, try a festive collar instead.
Drama-Free Decor
Halloween decorations inside and outside the home have become more elaborate.
“Decor might frighten pets, especially decorations that make noise or have movement. Decorations in the shape of people, like scarecrows, might be confused with intruders,” said Raymond.
Be intentional about introducing your pet to decorations, and give treats to help make it a more positive experience, she suggests. Keep all decorations out of your pet’s reach. “Watch for any object that could accidentally be ingested,” Raymond said.
A good safety tip for any home, with or without pets, is to use electric candle substitutes for jack-o’-lanterns to minimize fire hazards.
Trick or Treat
Many pets struggle with anxiety related to meeting new people or the ring of the doorbell sets them off, which makes trick-or-treating torturous. To help, Raymond suggests preparing a room for sensitive pets away from the action. Play music or white noise to drown out the sounds of strangers or the doorbell. Consider setting up the trick-or-treat station outdoors to avoid people ringing the doorbell or opening the door, she said.
In some cases, it might be necessary to “speak to your vet to see if antianxiety medicine might be right for your pets to help them get through the holiday,” said Raymond.
Make sure your pet is wearing a collar or harness that has a form of ID attached, and make sure microchip registration is up to date in case your pet does escape or get lost, she said.
If you plan to bring your pet out during trick-or-treating, prepare ahead of time, said Martin. Practice being around weird lights and noises from outdoor decorations by taking pets out on walks at about the same time of evening that you would go trick-or-treating. You can also get your pet used to potential crowds and seeing people in costumes at a trunk-or-treat event, she said.
“While taking your dog trick-or-treating sounds like fun, it’s most likely stressful or scary for your dog. It’s safest to leave the animals at home,” Raymond said. “Outdoor cats should be brought inside if possible.”
Say No to Candy
It’s never safe to give pets candy. “Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and some sugar-free candies contain a sweetener called xylitol that is very toxic to dogs,” said Raymond.
If you suspect that your pet has eaten something harmful, call your veterinarian or local poison-control center immediately.
Teach children not to share candy with pets. Find pet-safe treats for dogs and cats instead.
