SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Halloween is a fun and exciting time of year for many people, but it can also pose a danger to pets.
Dakin Humane Society spokesperson Lee Chambers said increased activity and the presence of candy and decorations could result in pets being injured, poisoned or lost on Halloween night. says.
Halloween is on Thursday, so trick-or-treaters will be knocking on the door. Chambers says this can cause problems for some pets if owners aren’t careful.
“It might be a good idea to take them to another part of the house so they don’t have to worry about doorbells or knocking all night long. Sometimes people will come out into the driveway and give them candy there.” Mr. Chambers said.
Another safety measure is to keep candy out of reach. Although it is well known that chocolate and raisins are harmful to animals, there is another cause for concern.
“Sugarless gum contains an ingredient called xylitol. Make sure children don’t give Halloween candy to pets. Even if they throw it in the trash, keep an eye on the trash can. Allow your pet to do that.’ Don’t go in there and get there,” Chambers said.
Costumes can also pose a danger to your pet, so experts say you need to make sure your pet can breathe, walk and see. You should also check to see if there are any parts that could break or that could get chewed up and suffocate. She said it’s also a good idea to make sure your pet feels comfortable in the costume when trick-or-treating.
“Some pets may not be suited to wearing things like costumes because they don’t care about that at all and it can make them anxious. That’s okay. Then it would be nice if the costume had reflective tape so you could see in the dark,” Chambers said.
And don’t forget to keep it on a leash. However, even if your pet gets separated, an ID tag will make it easier to find it. If you believe your pet has ingested candy or accidentally ingested a poisonous substance, call the ASPCA control number at 888-426-4435.
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