Halloween and Pets

Every year at this time, I give our students a handout about Halloween and pets.  Here are some thoughts about this fun holiday, and how it can be stressful and dangerous for pets.

Halloween is a noisy, boisterous time.  Strangers dressed in costumes come to the door, and in many places, people set off fireworks.  It can be very stressful for our dogs and cats (and other pets).  The constant ringing of the doorbell, seeing people dressed oddly (think of how odd costumes must look to our pets!), the opening and closing of the door... all of this can create confusion and anxiety in our pets.  There is usually more going on in the streets around our homes than usual, and then comes the booming sounds of firecrackers being set off.

Our pets can truly find this alarming.  Pets who become panicked can dart out the open door and either get into traffic or become lost.  Some animals that are especially anxious have been known to jump through windows to try to escape situations that they don't understand, but find very scary.  If they are outside, many animals will try to leave their yard to try to escape the noise and upheaval.  Animal shelters are often overwhelmed after Halloween with lost and frightened animals.

So it's important to make sure your animals are as comfortable and as safe as possible.  If you are going to hand out treats at the door, make sure your pets can't get out the open door.  There are many ways you can do this.  For instance, you can put a baby gate across your front door or an exercise pen (x-pen) around the door area.  When I was growing up, my father used to wait until Halloween to change the screen to storm glass in the front door, and he would leave them window empty while he handed out treats.  At the end of the evening, he'd put the glass pane in the door.  A great way to have the door closed but also open at the same time!

You can set your pets up in another room where they can't get to the door.  (Make sure you give them something to do to occupy their time and keep them busy.  Bones, treat-dispensing toys, bully sticks... anything that will keep them mentally engaged and not bored -- and make it clear to them that they are not being punished!)  Sometimes, it's best to have your pets down in the basement where they are as far from the activity as possible, especially if they are sensitive to noise.

If you are going to have your pet in the living room with you, I suggest having your dog on leash or in a crate or x-pen.  If your cat is going to be with you, I also suggest having him or her in a crate.  (Only use a crate if you have trained your pet to enjoy being in one.  Halloween is NOT the right time to introduce a crate!)

Just in case your pet does escape, make sure he or she has up-to-date identification.  All pets should have either a tattoo or microchip (or both!), and should wear a tag on their collar that gives your phone number and/or address so that anyone who finds them can make sure they get home to you.

Fireworks can be especially anxiety-provoking for many animals.  If your pet is bothered by them, try putting them in a room in the basement with a tv or radio on to try to minimize the sound.  My dog is extremely scared of fireworks, and we always spend Halloween downstairs with the tv up nice and loud.  If your dog is bothered by noise, there are other things you can do to help him or her.  I'll try to do a post about that soon;  in the meantime, here's a good place to learn about noise phobias and dogs.

The treats of Halloween can also be dangerous to pets.  Chocolate contains a theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats.  (And probably other pets, too.)  So don't let your pet consume chocolate;  if your pet does manage to ingest any, call your vet right away.

Even the wrappers from Halloween treats can be hazardous.  If your pet swallows them, it can create an obstruction in their digestive system, which is not only potentially fatal but also very expensive to remove.  Keep all treats and wrappers out of your pets' reach, just to be on the safe side.

Finally, your pets are probably happier and safer if you leave them at home.  Although I would agree that most of the time, our pets would prefer to be with us, this is one occasion when we need to be good guardians and leave them home for their own good.  Don't take them trick-or-treating with you;  they really will be better off at home.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!