Halloween can be a really fun night for people and pets alike, that’s why thinking ahead about Halloween activities, will help keep them fun for everyone. Consider these tips when planning for the spookiest night of the year.

• The candy is for the trick-or-treaters, so keep it in a place where Fido and Fluffy can’t easily get to it. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems.
• Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
• Don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it. If you dress up your pet, make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on.
• All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
• Keep lighted pumpkins out of your pet’s reach. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens especially run the risk of being burned.
• Keep your pets inside so that they will not be the target of pranksters who might tease, injure, steal and even seriously harm pets on this night.
• In case your pet escapes during all of the Halloween activities, make sure your pet has a current identification tag attached to his collar and consider having your pet microchipped. Good identification is one of the best ways to increase the likelihood that pets will be returned to you if lost.

For more information about Halloween pet safety, visit:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/halloween-safety-tips

http://www.animalleague.org/expert-advice/health/articles/seasonal/halloween.html