OHS Halloween safety tips for your pets
October 28, 2019 — That spooky night when fairy princesses and pirates go door to door for sugary treats can be a dangerous night for your four-legged family members.
Here are six tips to help keep your pets safe this Halloween:
- Keep cats indoors: Outdoor cats can become a target. People who enjoy playing pranks on Halloween could potentially injure your pet. Keep your cat safe inside your house.
- Don’t take the family dog along trick-or-treating: Even friendly dogs can get spooked on Halloween and there is a risk your dog could get scared, run away, and even become lost.
- Use decorations with caution: Practice fire prevention and safety measures by keeping your pets away from lit pumpkins, lit candles, and electrical cords.
- Keep candy out of your pet’s reach: Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats. Also, be mindful about your candy wrappers — because if consumed, they can cause your pet to choke.
- Don’t dress your pet in a costume unless you know he/she enjoys it: Some costumes can cause stress and injury to pets, making it tough to move, hear, breathe, bark or see. Never leave costumed pets unattended.
- Make sure your pets are properly identified: In case your pet runs outside, make sure he or she has a collar, tag and microchip to help increase their chances of a rapid and safe return home. All in all, if you plan to give out candy, best to keep pets in a separate room of the house so they can’t slip out the door.
Remember, if you see an animal in immediate distress or danger on Halloween, or any time of the year, please call 911 and report it to the police.
Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Will Wuehr, Manager: Communications
613-725-3166 Ext: 261 or willw@ottawahumane.ca
www.ottawahumane.ca