Top Halloween Safety Tips For Pets
 Friday, October 31st, 2008  by Connie T.

The ASPCA has revised their Top 10 Safety Tips for Pets this Halloween to make it the most informative and efficient list possible. There are certainly things you need to beware of with regard to your furry friends during trick-or-treating season, so here they are.

No human treats for your pet! Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, as can the artificial sweetener xylitol found in many candies. Tin foil and cellophane pose a choking hazard, so leave the people treats out of the reach of your pet(s)!

Popular Halloween plants like pumpkins and decorative corn can cause gastrointestinal upset. Make sure those are out of the way, too.

Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should also be out of reach. They can cause extreme and even fatal damage.

Use extreme caution if you add a real candle to your carved pumpkin for lighting. If it's in a place where your pet can knock it over, it could be a real fire hazard.

Costumes can cause undue stress for pets. Unless you know your pet is one of those that love playing dress up, don't put them through unnecessary upset.

If you are dressing up your pet, make sure the costume isn't constricting, annoying, or unsafe. Make sure it doesn't constrict the pet's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow.

Make sure your pet's costume doesn't have small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces he can choke on. Ensure that it isn't ill-fitting or it can get twisted on external objects and lead to injury.

Unless your pet is extremely social, keep him in a separate room away from the front door during trick-or-treating hours.

And finally, always make sure that your dog or cat has proper identification. A collar, tags, and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you if for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

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