At Flagology we love our pets; they are truly additional family members as far as we are concerned. Just like we want our family members to be safe trick-or-treating or at a Halloween party, we want our pets to be safe on this spooky night as well! So while we are picking out costumes, gathering candy, and putting up decorations for Halloween this year, we are also going to be taking some extra precautions to make sure our furry family members are safe and happy during the festivities!
Here are our top five safety tips to make sure that both you and your special fur babies have a spooktacular Halloween:
1. Keep your pets in a secure location while trick-or-treaters are out.
Giving candy to kids who come to your door is one of the best parts of Halloween! But for cats and dogs alike, the constantly ringing doorbell and so many new people can be stressful and confusing. It’s best to keep pets who might become skittish in these overwhelming social situations in a confined space.
2. Place Halloween candy and seasonal plants out of reach.
Candy of any form is not particularly good for your pets to ingest, but chocolate and candies sweetened with xylitol can cause some serious problems for your furry family member. Seasonal plants (like pumpkins, squashes, gourds, and corn) should kept out of reach because they can cause stomach discomfort for your pet.
3. Make comfort and safety a priority when choosing a costume for your pet.
If you choose to dress your pet up for Halloween, it’s best to try the costume on before the big day. If your pet seems uncomfortable, or if you notice areas of the costume are too tight, too loose, or easily ingestible, then it would be best to nix the cute costume. After all, safety and comfort are two of the biggest concerns for our furry friends on Halloween!
4. Use caution when placing festive decorations around your home.
Transforming your house from its everyday style into a haunted mansion is no easy task: it takes lots of lights and spooky decor. Many decorations can easily become choking or fire hazards for your pet. Be sure to strategically place your decorations out of reach when you have pets roaming around your haunted mansion.
5. Make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag.
With all of the excitement and chaos surrounding this holiday, there may be more opportunity for a pet to escape. While it’s always a good idea for your pet to have proper identification, it’s an especially good idea on Halloween. Making sure your pet is wearing identification could potentially make all the difference in finding your pet if you get separated.
