Trick or Trouble: Life-Saving Advice for Your Pets this Halloween

Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for your family. You may also think to include your cat or dog in the Halloween dress-up and trick-or-treat rituals. Or, if you're in charge of candy distribution this year, you may think strangers in costumes constantly ringing the doorbell won't be a problem for your companion.

However, without following safety precautions, your playful Halloween night could turn into a real-life nightmare with your pet seriously injured or sick.

What specific candies are especially dangerous to your pets?

When it comes to candy, you don't necessarily have to worry about your cat as much as you do your dog. Anything within mouth (or paw reach) such as chocolate, raisins, pumpkins, cookies, and other treats can be extremely toxic to your dog if ingested in large amounts. You also want to be careful of candy wrappers that are carelessly tossed in your house or throughout your neighborhood. Your dog doesn't have the ability (or the patience) to tear open each candy and will just eat the whole thing.

What if you're passing out candy... should you allow your pet near the front door?

Cats and dogs who are prone to noise sensitivity might want to become escape artists this Halloween and bolt out your front door to escape the constant ringing of your doorbell and loud kids shouting at your door. Because of this, you may want to consider keeping your cat and dog away from the front door. Putting up baby gates in your hallway or keeping your pets in a separate room can help ease anxiety, excitement and from them wanting to make a run for it.

What if you want to take your pet with you outside for trick-or-treating?

Before you decide to bring your dog on the walk with you and your children while trick-or-treating, you have to be sure you know your dog. Not only do you have to worry about the cars in the street, you have to consider the large groups of children, pre-teens, and other parents who may frighten or induce anxiety in your dog. This may cause your dog to nibble or bite someone.

What about pet costumes?

If you're dressing your pet up, be sure that the costume is fitted properly without any loose articles that your pet can get tangled in, or on too tight that they could potentially have trouble walking or choke on.

What else do you need to know about pet safety during Halloween?

Emmy Award winning veterinarian, Dr. Jeff Werber, shares with Melanie Cole, MS, important safety precautions for your pets during Halloween.