Halloween 2023: Dr Katrina Warren explains how to keep your pets safe during Halloween

Halloween, once you’ve sorted out your costume, is meant to be a time of fun for families – but if you have pets, then it can actually be quite stressful.

Trick or treating means constant knocks on the door, gates left open, furbabies dressed up in uncomfortable outfits, and generally a lot of unusual situations that are either uncomfortable or unsafe for pets.

Here are five things you need to think about when it comes to keeping your pets safe this Howl-oween.

READ MORE: How to know if you’re overfeeding your dog

Costumes

Be careful and considerate here. Many pet costumes are very uncomfortable for pets to wear and may impair their hearing and vision.

Some restrict their movement or obstruct their breathing, while others can cause a pet to overheat.

Decorations

While they look funky and spooky, these can be choking hazards or cause bowel obstructions if swallowed – things like fake eyeballs, plastic spiders and other small decorations are all choking hazards for puppies and dogs.

If you have a puppy, make sure they are confined somewhere safe so they can’t access decorations. 

READ MORE: Food dangers to be aware of when trick or treating with puppies and dogs

READ MORE: Vet’s tips for encouraging a fussy dog to eat

Tangles and strangles

This one is so important, it had to be mentioned separately to the other decorations – beware of fake cobwebs or fairy lights.

Pets can get tangled in hanging decorations like such, especially cats, who love to climb and can get caught.

Food poisoning

Keep all chocolate and confectionery out of reach of your pets. If children come home with a stash, have rules about putting everything in a closed container that is well out of reach of pets.

Learn more about the food dangers you need to be aware of when trick or treating with puppies or dogs in the house here.

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The great escape

The constant opening of doors and gates is an opportunity for pets to slip outside unnoticed, especially if they are scared or startled by noises and activity.

Make sure your pet’s microchip details are up to date. Confine pets to a pen, crate or room if you are expecting people to be constantly knocking at your door. 

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