Keep your pets safe on Halloween

Follow these tips from Animal Welfare League of Queensland to ensure that you and your pets enjoy a fun and safe Halloween.

Halloween lollies

Halloween is all about lollies but sweet treats can have a devastating impact on your pet’s health.

Don’t feed your pets lollies, especially if they contain chocolate or xylitol (a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free products), as these can be poisonous.

Symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures.

Contact your vet immediately if your pet shows any signs of poisoning.

Identification

Ensure your pet is wearing identification tags with your name and phone number on them and their microchip details are up-to-date in case they escape through the open door while you’re distracted with trick-or-treaters.

Candles

If you are using candles to light your jack-o-lanterns or other Halloween decorations, make sure to place them well out of reach of your pets.

Pets run the risk of burning themselves if the get too close and knocking candles over can causing a fire.

Costumes

If you plan to put a costume on your pet, make sure it fits properly and is comfortable. Costumes shouldn’t have any pieces that can easily be chewed off and shouldn’t interfere with your pet’s sight, hearing, breathing, opening its mouth or moving.

Take time to get your pet accustomed to the costume before Halloween.

Glow sticks

Keep glow sticks and glow jewellery away from your pets.

Although the liquid in these products isn’t likely toxic, it tastes really bad and can make pets salivate excessively and act strangely.

Battery-powered Halloween decorations can also present a risk to pets if the battery is swallowed.

Keep calm

Keeping your pet inside on Halloween is safest for both the pet and trick-or-treaters.

A constant stream of people in strange clothes may cause your pet to become stressed behave in a way they normally wouldn’t.

Confining them to their own safe haven for the evening can help calm their nerves and prevent them from barking excessively or running out of the constantly opening front door.