Halloween safety tips for your pets !

BY:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake

It's that time of year again... the most important holiday of the year... Halloween!!  LOL !

Halloween is a blast but it is also necessary to keep your pets safe during this time.  There is a lot of activity going on during that day and your pet can get a bit stressed out, so here are some tips to keep your pets safe!

1. No tricks and no treats.  That big bowl of candy is for the trick-or-treaters, not for Fido or Fluffy. Chocolate, especially dark or baking, can be dangerous for dogs and cats.  Also, any candy that contains artificial sweeter can cause problems.
2. Halloween plants like pumpkins and the decorative corn are considered nontoxic, but they can product upset tummies in pets who nibble or chew on them.
3. All those lighted decorations you have that are plugged in should be kept out of reach.  If your pet happens to chew on these cords, they could suffer electrical shock or cuts and burns.
4. Carved pumpkins are so much fun, but if you keep a candle in them, it is possible your pet could tip that over causing a possible fire hazard so try using a led lighted candle instead.
5. It is so much fun to see all the dressed up pets, but don't dress up your pet unless you know that they like being dressed up.  Some pets can't handle being put into "clothes".  Forcing your pet to dress up may cause undue stress.
6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe.  It shouldn't constrict their movement, hearing, or ability to breathe, bark or meow.  Try putting the costume on before you go out just to check and see if your pet seems distressed.  If your pet does seem distressed do something easier like putting a festive bandana on them or let them go "au naturale".
7. Also make sure that the costume does not have any small pieces that they could chew off and possibly choke.
8. Always make sure that your pet is kept away from the door when the trick-or-treaters arrive.  Even the most social dogs can get very excited when groups of people ring the bell and are hanging outside on the front porch.
9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters keep an eye on all pets so they don't run out the door.
10. Always have proper ID's on your pets just in case they do get loose from you.

Halloween is a really fun holiday but please make sure your pets are safe so you can all enjoy it!

Happy Halloween everyone !!!!