It's almost Halloween and this is a fun night for your pet to go out and walk the neighborhood with your family. Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe!
*Make sure everyone can see your dog
Light up collars and reflective materials on your pet are the best way to make sure cars and people can see your dog coming. Most pet stores carry clip on flashing lights that can be attached to the collar also.
*Unfriendly dogs should be left at home
If you know your dog is very protective around strangers or is dog aggressive, please leave him at home. You are putting children, other pets and your dog in danger by taking him in the dark and exposing him to new people and dogs.
*Keep Trick-or-Treat bags out of reach of your dog
Chocolate and candy are great treats for your kids, but not your dog. When walking door-to-door or riding around in a car, make sure the dog cannot reach into a trick-or-treat bag.
*Chose your pet's costume wisely
A mummy is a very cute costume for a Standard Poodle, but if halfway through the night he begins to chew off and swallow parts of the costume, you are going to have a big problem the next day. Pieces of fabric can become trapped in the dog's stomach and not allow anything to pass. A foreign body obstruction requires surgery to remove the material. The same idea is true for costumes with metal pieces which may be fun for the dog to chew on, but don't pass easily through the GI tract if swallowed.
*Choose the right event for your pets to attend
Halloween is a fun night to be shared with friends, family and our four-legged friends. Please choose to bring them to events where they will be well watched. With the distractions of candy, costumes and new people, it is not uncommon for dogs to become lost on Halloween. If your dog does not like new people at the door or the sound of the doorbell, a crate may be the best place for your pet while kids are trick-or-treating. Also, keep in mind that haunted trails where a dog may become spooked or become aggressive out of fear are not appropriate.
I hope these tips help everyone and their dogs have a fun and safe Halloween!
