Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
Dec 28th 2021
Rivaling the Fourth of July, Halloween is potentially one of the scariest days of the year for our four-legged friends. The constant knocking at the door, scary faces, flashing lights and noisy decorations coupled with an embarrassing outfit can make for a long, terrifying night! Here are some Halloween Safety Tips for Pets to keep your fur babies calm and in good spirits (see what we did there) this Halloween.
Don’t Force Pet Costumes
It is rare to find a pet that actually enjoys wearing that adorable pet costume you have picked out for them. To make them as comfortable as possible, ease into the outfit. Make sure that their eyes and ears are not covered. Hindering their sense of sight and sound can certainly cause a freakout. Some pets may be so petrified that they refuse to even move.
Check that the pet costume is the correct size. A pet costume that is too tight will not be well received, and your cat certainly does not want to look like Sandy from Grease or wear a Spiderman leotard. Do not wait until Halloween to put your pet in their Halloween costume. Ease into it by having them wear it for short periods at a time, while offering rewards for good behavior.
Move Candy Out of Reach
Too much candy will give anyone a tummy ache, but even more so for pets. It is no secret that chocolate (though delicious) is toxic for both dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the bigger the problem. Unfortunately, pets don’t understand this. It is your responsibility to make sure your pets cannot access the candy bowl.
Sugar can cause diarrhea which is no fun for neither pets nor their owners. Raisins are also toxic to cats and dogs… which means that dark chocolate Raisenets could be really bad news! Hard candy can cause choking hazards, but the most toxic treat is sugar-free gum. Xylitol can cause a severe drop in blood pressure, seizures, liver damage and even death for pets.
Cats are often less motivated than dogs to chew through packaging, but it is still wise to keep anything questionable out of reach. If your pet does get into the candy bowl, make sure you know which veterinarians in your area are open on Halloween. In case of emergency, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center phone number is (888) 426-4435.
You can still include your pets in the Halloween festivities with easy to make Receptra Halloween CBD Pet Treats!
Chill Out with CBD Oil for Pets on Halloween
There are a number of prescription medications that you can acquire from your veterinarian as long as you do some pre-planning. Most of these have a sedative component which can be ok or it can be unnerving. In most cases, natural CBD oil for Pets just takes the edge off and makes things a little less scary.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that interacts with your pet’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid system. When CBD enters the body it allows for two-way communication between receptors in the body which makes it easier for the body to maintain a sense of calmness and balance.
If you anticipate an evening of festivities with friends over or a plethora of trick-or-treaters it is a good idea to give your pet a serving of Receptra Pet CBD Oil with breakfast. If they need an extra boost, go ahead and give another serving in the evening to make Halloween (pet costume and all) much more enjoyable.
The World Health Organization recently reported that CBD is non-addictive, without side-effects and safe for both humans and animals.
Don’t Take Pets Trick-Or-Treating
Yes, your pet is adorable and well behaved, but the excitement of Halloween is a game changer. Many dogs are predisposed to protect their owner from any threats that may arise. YOU may know that the six-foot-five gorilla across the street is just your neighbor dressed like King Kong, but your pet doesn’t know that. The flashing colored lights and automated lawn decorations will make your pet feel threatened and afraid.
If you are dead-set on taking your pet out for a walk in their costume, do so early in the day before the streets get busy and the festivities begin. Halloween safety for your pet means being aware of their surroundings. Always make sure your pet has a tag and microchip in case they "get spooked" and break away.
Be Aware of Decoration Hazards
By all means, carve those pumpkins and hang those spider webs! Halloween is meant to be celebrated with an abundance of decorations, but pay close attention to placement and potential hazards. You may have hung your fake cobwebs plenty high, but what about those little plastic spiders? It is the spiders, eyeballs and other small accessories that tend to compromise Halloween safety for pets and cause problems such as choking hazards and intestinal obstructions.
Keep jack-o-lanterns out of reach, especially ones with lit candles. Real pumpkin puree is a common treat for pets, so snacking on your smiling orange decoration is not out of the question.