Halloween Safety Tips For Pets

1. Vampire: Visibility. Preparing your pup to be a fierce vampire may be a trendy costume, but beware of all the dark spirits howling. If your pet already has dark coloring in his coat, it may be hard to keep an eye on your little Vam-pup during the dark night. Your ability to monitor your pet is incredibly important, with trick-or-treaters, front doors opening and closing, crowds of people, and pranksters doing their thing. Always be sure to microchip and ID your pet for all occasions, especially before Halloween.

2. Fit For Furballs: Sure, a Lindsay Lohan jailbird costume is fun, but that mock ankle bracelet may be a little too tight. With a variety of costumes on the market, it is crucial to make sure that the costume adorning your furry buddy is not too tight, not too loose – just right! Make sure your pet can move freely, and avoid all allergy-irritating fabrics. Pet parents should beware of costumes that cover their pet's head, as they can obstruct an animal's vision. Dogs are prone to ear infections, so avoid costumes that cover or enter this furry floppy area.

3. Scary Ingestion: You might have the best Lady Gaga dog costume, but nix the full body meat suit. Your pet might become the biggest Halloween treat for hungry dogs in the hood. Pets are prone to chewing their outfit as well as other costumes, so make sure there aren’t any hazardous materials available to be eaten. Feline costumes should NOT be constructed of hair or feathers, which can create one huge scary fur ball when swallowed! 

4. Menacing Make-up and Paints: Your Smurf and little Smurfette doggy duo might be the talk of the town, but cool it with the blue paint. Putting paint and make-up on your pet is always a spooky idea. Even non-toxic makeup can be extremely dangerous and irritating to your pet. Your pet’s natural beauty, unique personality and willingness to have great time with you will enhance any costume.

5. Tricky Tricks: If your pup is jittery around crowds, loud noises, and children, consider keeping him in a quiet and peaceful room at home during the evening festivities. The door bell constantly ringing, freaky- looking people (and their little people) stopping by might confuse, scare and disorient your pet. Trick or treaters might not be the treat your pet is hoping for on Halloween.

6. Toxic Treats: Halloween is all about the costumes and candy (and the stray bobbed-for-apple). But make sure your Count Dogula does not turn into a Count Chocula, as chocolate is highly toxic for animals – and can be fatal. Also beware of lollipops – way too easy to choke on. Simple Essentials dog treats by Hills Science Diet are the perfect substitute treat that will have your pet howling at the moon with the best of them.

7. Furry Fire Safety: Whether you are going as an Angry Bird or Super Man, beware of loose and draping fabric, like capes. Lit candles around your home and burning inside jack-o-lanterns have the potential to catch fire with flowing fabric, and your pet could possibly get caught in the cross fire. Replacing lit candles with Scentsy Candles that are fire free These candles melt wax with a light bulb and produce an amazingly yummy scent. They are a Halloween staple for safety minded pet parents.

If you want to get your dog all dressed up or just have fun to support a great cause – Get Ready for AnimalFair.com’s 12th Annual ‘Howloween’ Pet Costume Benefit, join Wendy, special celebrity guests and of course their pups for a fabulous time benefiting the Humane Society of New York.  Click here for more details  on how to buy tickets and have some furry fun for a good cause – animal rescue!

Happy & Safe Howloween to you and your pets!