Humane society tips to help keep your pet safe during Halloween

ajc.com

Halloween can be a scary time of year for pets.

>> Animal experts warn the public of dangerous Halloween decorations

The Humane Society of Greater Dayton offers the following tips to keep your pets safe during Halloween.

  • Identify your pets: Whether you plan to take your pets out or not, make sure they have proper identification including a collar, ID tags and microchip. Identification will help return your pet if they get out of the house.
  • Choose costumes wisely: Choose one that is loose fitting and not difficult for your pet to move around. If a costume is too tight or has too many bells or whistles, your pet could get tangled up or injured.
  • Avoid the candy: Resist the urge to share your candy with your pet. Both chocolate and xylitol, a sweetener found in many candies, can be dangerous to eat. Also, the sticks of lollipops or candy wrappers can be choking hazards. If your pet ingests candy, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
  • Be aware of decorations: Decorations such as carved pumpkins, electrical cords, plants or decorative corn should be kept away from your pet. Pets could knock over lit candles or pumpkins, chew on cords or eat plants that could be harmful. Make sure to secure those types of decorations and/or keep them out of reach.
  • Keep them separated: Many people at your home can be stressful for pets. Keep your pet's anxiety level to a minimum by placing them in a separate room or away from all the action. If the noise continues to bother them, turn on relaxing music so it can tune out some of the chatter.

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