Halloween Pets: Pet Care & Costume Safety Tips

One-year-old Jay and 2-year-old yellow Lab Jackson

as Superbaby and Superdog by Jeddie Busch, Ashburn.

If you want to see some great Halloween Pet Photos visit this Halloween Pet Slide show at the Washington Post

I've been asked to help hand out prizes to the pet Halloween costume party this Wednesday in Big Bear Lake. Since this is a rural area with no sidewalks or good lighting, everyone gathers in the main village area for trick-or-treating activities.

Howl-o-Ween parties can get really wild. Parties and parades just touch the tip of the iceberg according to the American Pet Products and Manufacturers Association. The group estimates that over 3.7 million dog owners purchase gifts or costumes for pets specifically for Halloween festivities.

Need some Halloween Pet Safety Tips? Here are a few:

• Keep animals confined on Halloween. Seclude them safely in a room away from the door and distractions.
• Walk pets before dark to avoid any altercations with costumed characters.
• House animals indoors just before and during Halloween. This protects pets from pranksters who tease, injure, steal, or kill animals.
• Make sure pets are wearing current identification. Many pets get spooked and escape. Unfortunately they end up in shelters without identification.
• Keep pets away from costumed ghouls and goblins. Halloween bites are not uncommon. Even friendly animals may bite due to stress, fear, or protective aggression.
• Store and dispense candy so that it is not accessible to pets. Many treats are toxic and even lethal to pets.
• Avoid the liability that comes from dressing up your pet and sending the critter out trick-or-treating with kids.
• Restrict your pet's access to decorations. Jack o'lanterns with candles are obvious fire hazards, but cats can also get tangled in streamers. Pets can also become ill from eating holiday decor.
  

Pet Costume Safety Tips:

• Don't dress up pets unless they love it.
  
• If you do dress pets up make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe.
• Avoid costumes that restrict movement, vision, hearing or the ability to breathe or vocalize.
  
• Costumes should not contain small dangling accessories that could be consumed or cause choking.

Halloween can be fun for all members of your family but avoid scary stories by taking some pet precautions to make it a Happy Halloween!