Whether it's things that go bump in the night or bang in the sky, autumn and the time around Halloween can be stressful for pets and their owners. Read on for our tips on how to have a safe Halloween with your cat or dog.
Halloween can be one of the best times of the year for humans – from the fancy dress and sweets to spooky decorations and fun events. In recent years, the tradition has been increasing in popularity across the UK – but this has made it trickier for pet owners to navigate.
The festivities, decorations and food can all pose hazards to our pets. However, you can have a pet-friendly Halloween by following the tips below.
Hide sweets and chocolate
As pet owners, we’re all aware of the danger that sweets and chocolate in the home can bring for our pets. During the Halloween period, you’ll no doubt have an increased amount of human treats in the home, either for a party or for the ghosts and ghouls who come knocking on your door.
Just like at Christmas, it’s important to keep sweets and chocolate away from your pets, as they can be extremely toxic to both cats and dogs. This is because our pets are unable to metabolise the theobromine in sweet foods the same way humans can.
Vets say the smaller your cat or dog is, the more dangerous it is for them to consume these foods. To help them resist temptation, you might consider making cat-friendly or dog-friendly Halloween treats to include them in the festivities.
If you find that your pet has eaten sweets or chocolate, contact your vet immediately. And remember, pet insurance can offer peace of mind if the unforeseen does happen.
Take care with Halloween decorations
If you’re a pet owner, it’s important to be extra vigilant when decorating your home.
Ensure electrical wires are hidden and completely out of reach of pets to minimise the dangers of being chewed. It’s also important to ensure any small choking hazards – such as fake cobwebs or plastic spiders – are placed out of reach.
Carved pumpkins often decorate window ledges and doorways at this time of year. Although it’s safe for dogs and cats to eat small amounts of fresh pumpkin, if it has been left to rot, it can give them an upset stomach. Ensure carved pumpkins – especially those lit with candles – are nowhere near your animals, and that pumpkins are thrown away as soon as they start to go off.
Avoid Halloween costumes for pets
While you may see photographs of pets dressed up on social media and think it’s fun to get them involved, Halloween costumes for pets are best to be avoided.
Dressing up animals can be frightening for them and dog and cat Halloween costumes can restrict your pet’s movement, meaning they could hurt themselves trying to get away.
Overall, Halloween costumes for pets should be avoided – though you could treat them to a spooky collar or bow instead!
Give them a safe space
Even the most easy-going pets can get scared and anxious with a stream of trick or treaters coming to the door or into the house.
To avoid unnecessary stress for your pet, try to keep them away from the front door and make sure they have a peaceful place to retreat to. Give them a cosy bed or blanket to snuggle up on with undisturbed access to food, water and a litter tray.
It’s also important to make sure your dog or cat's microchip details are up to date, so if the worst happens and your animal runs away, there’s a better chance you’ll be able to find them. If your dog wears a collar, make sure it also has a tag with your phone number.
Leave your pet at home
Halloween costumes mean you’ll likely see plenty of creatures of the night. While this may be entertaining for us, it may be disorientating and confusing for your pet. Because of this, it’s best to keep them inside the house where possible.
A good way to prepare your outdoor cat for Halloween season is to practise keeping them indoors a few times beforehand, so they become used to it. Confining an outdoor cat to the house suddenly could lead to increased stress for your pet, so ensure you do it gradually. With dogs, try to walk them earlier in the day to avoid busier streets or loud bangs and noises in the evening.
If you’re in for the night, you can alleviate the effects of the noise outside by plugging in a diffuser that mimics soothing pheromones, playing music or having the TV on.
Fireworks and loud party noises can be stressful for both cats and dogs. But by following our tips and planning ahead, you can help to ease their anxiety.
How do you help your pets stay safe during Halloween? Share your tips and ideas on Petplan’s Facebook page.