MDARD reminds pet owners how to keep animals safe on Halloween

On October 30, 2024By Karl

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – As Michiganders put the finishing touches on their costumes, decorative displays and trick-or-treating plans, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) wants to remind pet owners of a few things. The best ways to keep your pets safe this Halloween.

“Considering the needs of our animals is important when planning for Halloween to ensure they are not subjected to unpleasant scares or additional stress,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. “From keeping them out of the candy bowl to making sure they have up-to-date identification, there are many precautions owners can take to keep their pets safe this Halloween.”

Keep animals safe this holiday by following these five easy tips:

Unsafe foods: Give Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters, not your animals.

Unfortunately, animals cannot enjoy the same treats and foods as we do. Be sure to keep candies or other sweets that contain chocolate, raisins, and/or xylitol (the artificial sweetener found in many candies and gums) away from pets; because these contents can be dangerous.

No need to search anymore: Make sure the animals have correct identification.

With the door open to all trick-or-treaters, it can be easy for animals to sneak out and get lost. To increase the chances of animals returning home, ensure that animals have identification tags and/or up-to-date microchips with current contact information.

Eliminate stress and relieve pressure: Create a quiet space for your animals.

Having a constant flow of visitors can be extremely stimulating for animals. It is important to set aside a quiet area where they can go when they are too stressed. They also have food, water, litter boxes, etc. in the room in case they want to keep their distance for an extended period of time. keep it.

Avoid temptations: Keep Halloween decorations and cords out of reach.

Spooky decorations and lights not only create a scary image, but also attract the attention of our animals. Make sure they are kept out of reach of animals, along with open-flame candles, glow sticks, and potpourri, as these items can cause injury.

Costumes with caution: Be careful when choosing costumes.

Our animals may not share the same excitement about costumes as we do. It is possible that your animals may not recognize you or others they know because of your costumes, causing unexpected reactions and additional stress. Consider wearing parts of your costume around your pet before Halloween to better acclimate them to seeing them.

If your animals are the ones wearing the costumes, make sure they are comfortable in their clothes. The costume should not restrict their movement or breathing, obstruct their vision, cause them to overheat, or contain small parts that could be chewed off and pose a choking hazard. Also, do not leave a costumed pet unsupervised.

Following these tips can help your animals stay safe and healthy throughout spooky season. If you have any concerns about your animals’ health now or throughout the year, please speak to your veterinarian.