Keep your pet safe this Halloween | Pets for adoption, Oct. 11-12 – SILive.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — While Halloween can be a fun time for people, the holiday’s festivities can be a spooky and even dangerous experience for pets. Protect your animals from potential poisoning, injury or loss.
One of the biggest dangers to pets is Halloween candy. Many candies contain chocolate or xylitol, a common sugar substitute, both of which are toxic to pets. Raisins are also a serious threat and can cause kidney failure.
Decorations and costumes can also pose a risk. Lit candles in jack-o’-lanterns should be kept out of reach to prevent burns or fires. Items like glow sticks, batteries and other costume parts can cause choking, internal injury or illness if ingested by a pet.
If you plan to dress your pet in a costume, ensure it fits properly and is comfortable. A costume should not interfere with a pet’s ability to see, hear, breathe or move. Owners should also make sure there are no pieces that can be easily chewed off, and never leave a costumed pet unsupervised.
The constant flow of trick-or-treaters can create stress for pets and increase the chance of them escaping through an open door. Keep nervous pets in a separate room away from the front door. It is also crucial to ensure all pets have proper identification, like a microchip and an ID tag, in case they get lost.