The Halloween is near. And, so are the spooky pumpkin head figures, candles, eerie costumes and accidents. Pets are prone to get into accidents during Halloween. As a pet owner, ensuring a safer environment for your pets during all the hullabaloo can be difficult. However, to ensure the safety of their life, you must consider few facts in check.

Avoid Trick or Treats Candies

Be aware not to feed your pets the Halloween candies, especially if it contains chocolate or sugar (Xylitol, a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free candies and gum). Pets are prone to several ailments if fed chocolates. If your pet is inside the house, do keep trick or treat candies away from their reach.

Identifying your pets

There are many cases of missing pets around Halloween. Most pets who wander outside the house are easily lured or distracted. To ensure their safety, make sure your pet is properly identified (microchip, collar and ID tag)

Keep lit candles and Jack-o-lanterns away

The Halloween goodies, such as candles, and Jack-o-lanterns look exciting enough for your pets to mess with. The hot candle wax and fire can do severe damage. The damage can range from slight burn to major burns which may require extensive medical attention.

Be careful not to allow your pet to stay around lit candles and Jack-o-lanterns, or keep them away from it.

Halloween costume

If you plan to put a costume on your pet, make sure it fits properly and is comfortable, doesn't have any pieces that can easily be chewed off, and doesn't interfere with your pet's sight, hearing, breathing, opening its mouth, or moving. Take time to get your pet accustomed to the costume before Halloween, and never leave your pet unsupervised while he/she is wearing a costume

Don't leave pets out in the yard

Harmful pranks are common during Halloween. Most pets who are left unattended tend to get involved in the pranks or are the outright victims most of the time. Vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Specific pets, black cats, are more prone to suffer from pranks and accidents during Halloween.

Keep glow sticks away

Keep glow sticks or jewelry which glows away from your pets. Although the liquid filled inside these products isn't likely toxic, it may taste bad and leave your pet salivate excessively or act strangely.

Keep your pet inside

If your pet has a tendency to bite, it’s better to put them on lease or inside the house for preventing them from biting the strangers. It’s better to keep them inside or in another room during trick-or-treating hours or provide them a safe hiding place.

Indoors is certainly better than outdoors on Halloween, but your door will be constantly be used. Seeing eerily costumed strangers can scare your pets which can lead to escape attempts or unexpected aggression. Putting them in a safer environment will reduce stress and prevent them from darting outside into the night.