Halloween Tips for your Pets!

Halloween is a fun time for children and adults, but for your pet it could be scary, dangerous or traumatic. Keep the following tips in mind this Halloween from the Humane Society of the United States–

1)      Keep your pet in a quiet place, away from the noises of Trick-or-treaters. If you haven’t learned from the Pizza Hut commercials, dogs know to aim for the door when the bell rings! Try to keep your pet(s) in a contained area of your home with music or a noise distraction so that they do not get scared or go into protection mode each time the bell rings. This is an opportunity for Fido or Fluffy to bolt out the door so be sure to contain them in a separate part of your home.

2)      Keep flame decorations, like jack-o-lanterns out of your pet’s reach. Pets are curious, they will try to sniff and possible burn their snout. If they don’t sniff they may knock over a candle or pumpkin and cause a fire.

3)      Keep candy away from pets – Candy, especially chocolate can be toxic to pets. Wrappers can also be harmful if swallowed. Be sure to keep it out of reach from your four legged loved ones!

4)      Resist the urge to put your pet in a costume unless they are used to it on a regular basis. Most pets do not like the constraint of a costume. If you do decide to dress them up, make sure the costume does not constrain their movement, hearing or ability to breathe. Check the costume for parts that your pet could chew off and possibly choke on.

5)      Leave the dog home when you take the kids out trick or treating. Your pooch could get scared by costumes or frightened by the numerous people trying to pet them.

6)      Be aware that your pet may not recognize you in your Halloween costume. Pets are very sensitive to different appearances. Even during some pet sits, pets take a minute to remember me if I have something as simple as a ball cap on!

Please keep these important tips in mind when handing out candy or trick or treating on Halloween.

This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, Owner of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs!