How To Keep Your Pets Safe This Halloween

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Halloween is supposed to be scary for people — not pets. But the strange costumes and loud noises can seriously spook our four-legged friends, and the free-flowing candy and festive decor can be downright dangerous for dogs and cats.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to keep your pets safe and happy this Halloween. Here's what you should know, plus a few of our pet-safe holiday product recommendations below!

1. Keep candy out of reach.

Obviously you shouldn't feed your pets candy — especially anything containing chocolate— but you also need to make sure your trick-or-treating stash is well out of their reach. When dogs and cats smell something tempting, they'll climb on tables, open cabinets and break through barriers to get it.

If your pet does inevitably get into the candy bowl, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

2. Watch out for dangerous decor.

Don't leave lit candles or jack-o-lanterns anywhere where pets can reach them. Knocking into the flame could burn your pet or start a fire.

Keep electric and battery-powered decorations out of pets' reach, too. Chewing on these cords or ingesting the materials could make your dog or cat seriously ill.

3. Keep glow sticks away from pets.

Glow sticks and bracelets are everywhere on Halloween night, and they often end up on the ground or left on counters where pets can reach them. Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian, tells petMD that while the "liquid inside glow sticks is non-toxic," it "does taste awful."

Pets who get into a glow stick may drool, paw at their mouth and sometimes even vomit. If this happens to your pet, Dr. Coates recommends giving the pet "some fresh water or a small meal to help clear the material out of the mouth."

4. Be careful with costumes.

While there's nothing cuter than a cat or dog dressed up for Halloween, you don't want to put your pet in a costume if they are prone to stress and anxiety. The ASPCA recommends not putting your dog or cat in a costume unless you're confident the animal enjoys it.

You should also make sure the costume fits properly and does not inhibit the dog or cat's movement, sight or ability to breathe.

5. Brings pets inside.

Trick-or-treaters and Halloween festivities can be unfamiliar and frightening to pets. To avoid the risk of your dog or cat running away, it's best to bring them inside at least for the night. You should also keep your pet away from any doors or open windows to avoid them escaping.

Make sure your dog or cat is wearing a collar with proper identification tag, even indoors. This way, if they do accidentally get out, it will be easier for a good Samaritan to get in touch with you so you can bring your pet home safely.

Here are some pet safe Halloween essentials the DealTown team recommends!

Illumiseen LED Dog Collar

If your dog is outside on Halloween or any other night, this USB rechargeable collar makes her visible even in the dark. One charge lasts for up to five hours, and there's no extra hassle or cost of replacing batteries. It's available in six different colors and sizes, and it pairs wonderfully with Illumiseen's LED dog leashes.

Buy It Here

ThunderShirt Classic Dog Anxiety Jacket

If loud noises, spooky costumes and strange people make your dog nervous and uncomfortable, the ThunderShirt can help. It applies gentle, constant pressure to calm anxiety, fear and over-excitement in dogs. While it's great for Halloween, the ThunderShirt is also ideal for car rides, vet visits and any occasion where thunder or fireworks are booming. It's available in sizes from XXS to XXL.

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Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Dogs

These natural, organic turkey-flavored treats contain Suntheanine, a pure form of L-Theanine that helps promote relaxation. They also contain organic hemp, kelp, Valerian root and chamomile — all of which can ease your dog's anxiety without making her feel drowsy. As with any edible pet product, these treats should be given only as instructed, and if your dog's condition worsens or does not improve, stop administrating and consult your veterinarian.

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Relaxivet Natural Calming Spray for Cats and Dogs

This safe, nontoxic spray is made of calming essential oils and natural ingredients like catnip, rosemary and geranium. If Halloween (or any other day) has your dog or cat stressed out, just spritz 5-10 clicks of this spray in the area where the animal feels anxious. It should begin to work within 15 minutes, and the calming effect can last for up to six hours. Use only as directed.

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BARTUN Pet GPS Tracker

Get real-time tracking of your dog or cat's location with this smart pet GPS device. You can create electronic fences around your pet's exact location using the easy-to-use app. If your pet leaves the designated safe area, you'll immediately be notified. As long as the device is charged and your app is up to date, you should be able to pinpoint your pet's location at any time from anywhere. Monthly subscription fees apply and may vary based on your location.

Buy It Here

Sources:
petMD: 10 Halloween Safety Tips For Pets
ASPCA: Halloween Safety Tips