By Shontel Moulton  

Fall is upon us, and that means crunchy leaves, lots of pumpkin in everything from pies to coffee, and Halloween! Many adults and kids love this time of year. Costumes, spooky fun, and of course, candy. Although these things may be lots of fun for the people around us, many holiday activities can be stressful or even dangerous for our pets. It’s important to remember every family member when planning activities.

When one thinks of Halloween, trick-or-treating is almost always at the top of the list. For most of us, a little extra candy might give us an upset stomach, but many of our favorite treats can be deadly to our animals. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats, and many artificial sweeteners can also be dangerous. Make sure to stash the human candy out of Fido’s reach. If you are bringing your dog trick-or-treating with you, make sure to use a leash at all times. You are likely to be sharing the sidewalks with many children and other pets and it’s always best to keep your dog close by. You may also consider a reflective vest or flashing lights to make sure drivers see your pet among the groups of costumed children. And always make sure your pet has a properly fitted collar with your information attached. An overly excited dog can easily run off, and getting home to you is much easier when you are readily identified.

  If your pets are staying at home this year and your house gets lots of trick-or-treaters, keep in mind the constant stream of visitors may be very stressful, especially for cats or high-anxiety dogs. Cats often feel more secure closed in a safe room with their food, water, and litter available. At least until the main activities are over. Dogs may prefer to spend the evening in the yard (weather permitting) or maybe in a separate part of the house. You know your pet best, so do what you can to alleviate unnecessary fear.

Almost everyone appreciates a well-made, interesting costume, and dressing up is some people’s favorite Halloween activity. Although it may seem super cute to us, many pets are not keen on wearing costumes. If you want to dress your pet for this or any other occasion, there are some things to consider. First, make sure the costume doesn’t have any dangly bits that can be chewed off and cause a choking hazard or digestive issue. Second, ensure it fits well and does not restrict your pet’s movement. Finally, make sure your pet is not experiencing severe distress when dressed up. Many cats will freeze when dressed, and dogs will often try to roll or rub on furniture to remove clothing. If your pet exhibits abnormal behavior, take the cue that dressing up just isn’t their thing and leave the costumes to the humans.

No matter how you decide to celebrate this year, take a little extra time to ensure all of your family members are having fun and staying safe.