How to keep pets safe and protected this Howl-o-ween season

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — With the Halloween season approaching, the Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) shared tips to keep pets safe and avoid letting the holiday night turn into a fright.

From trick-or-treaters ringing doorbells to bags of chocolate piled around homes, Halloween can be especially scary for cats and dogs.

Popular Halloween sweets like chocolate, raisins, and xylitol are all toxic to pets, according to Best Friends Animal Society. It is best to keep the sweet treats out of pets’ reach.

“They should only get treats that are made specifically for them. Anything else can be pretty bad for their system,” Patrick Theobald, the Community Program manager at BFAS, said. He added that pumpkin and sweet potatoes are a pretty good seasonal treat for pets, but to, “keep all the spices away from it.”

Additionally, while a fun activity for humans, a spooky jack-o-lantern can be a fire hazard to curious pets. A flameless candle can help avoid the hazard.

And while it may be exciting to see your pet dressed up in a fun Halloween costume, it can be dangerous. Some costumes may be too tight and restrict a pet’s breathing or too loose and snag on things. Some pets may also become stressed out if wearing clothing.

If your pet isn’t a fan of dress up, the BFAS recommends opting for a festive bandana or collar instead. Theobald said, “If your pet is not comfortable wearing different sorts of costumes, you can try finding one that they’re more comfortable in, or maybe just forego the costuming of the pets altogether.”

Avoiding Overstimulation

Best Friends Animal Society also recommended keeping dogs and cats in a quiet, secure room during peak trick or treat hours because the doorbell can frighten them and send them bolting out of the door.

Theobald says, “It’s best to try to keep your pet in a smaller, maybe in a back room in your house. Keep the lights down, maybe you can turn on the TV or radio or book on tape for them to have some background noise to really relax them and just keep their stimulation to a minimum.

He also pointed out that, whenever possible, pet owners should keep their furry friends’ identification up to date. This means keeping current phone numbers on their identification tags. Additionally, Theobald noted that BFAS partners with a brand called Fi Collars, which have real-time GPS tracking collars for dogs.

Black Cats

Additionally, owners of Black cats may be concerned about potential abductions or bad actors getting too into the holiday spirit, though Theobald said those owners should just exercise as much caution as others.

“It’s not a common thing that people are out there looking for black cats or anything, but Halloween can sometimes be an excuse for people to engage in questionable behaviors,” He said, “So keeping all your pets indoors and safely contained is a good idea any time of year, but especially around Halloween when a lot of people are going to be out and it could be a potentially scary time for them.”

Theobald did add that black cats are not just fun Halloween decorations. He said, “It’s important to remember that adopting a black cat is not just a decoration. It’s a commitment to this animal’s life.”

More information and tips from Best Friends Animal Society on Halloween Pet Safety can be found here.