While Halloween may be an exciting time for your family, it can also be a stressful time for your pets. At Pet Wants, we know that pets can experience anxiety regarding doorbells, decorations, costumes, and more, which is why we’re dedicated to educating pet parents on how they can better help their pets remain at ease, especially during the busy holiday season. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind for a happy and healthy Halloween, so that your pets aren’t so easily spooked!

1. Decorate with safety in mind

Consider introducing your pets to a safe room before you start decorating for Halloween, especially indoors. Changes to your home can make your pets, especially cats, nervous or frightened. Leaving pets in a comfortable environment, especially with an all natural Pet Wants chew, can keep them calm and distracted from the chaos! Festive decorations set the Halloween mood but they can also pose health risks, and added stress for your pets. While non-toxic, pumpkin, and pumpkin seeds can upset a pet’s stomach, especially when consumed in large quantities. Lit candles in Jack-O-Lanterns can potentially become fire hazards if toppled by a curious canine. Fall-colored corn cobs can obstruct the intestinal tract and need surgical removal. Decorative holiday lights may brighten your porch but remember to keep both lights and power cords out of your dog’s reach. Nibbling on electrical cords can be shocking!

2. Halloween hype causes pet stress

Provide your pet with a calm, secure area to stay during the festivities. Before the trick-or-treating starts, put your pets in a quiet room where they will be safe from all the Halloween activity. If your pet is likely to try to run out the front door and is comfortable in a crate, consider putting them in the crate with a treat-filled toy and some soft music playing in the background. Apply Pet Wants Calm Balm before the stressful night. Pet CBD products are also a great idea for our very stressed fury friends. We recommend Pet Releaf or Pawse products, both which you can find at your local Pet Wants store.

3. Protect your pets from outdoor dangers

Bring your pets indoors before it gets too dark outside. Cats will always be safest inside with you, but on Halloween it’s especially important to secure all pets inside so they don’t run away out of fear of adults and children in costumes, or find candy on the ground that might result in an emergency trip to the vet.

4. Leave your pet at home

If your neighborhood is particularly busy on Halloween and the sidewalks are overflowing with parents and children, it is best to leave your pet at home. Why expose your four legged friends to the chaos and risk upsetting them? New people, strange costumes and the detour from their daily routines can cause even more stress to your pets.

5. Secure any potential escape routes

If your dog stays with you and is greeting the trick or treaters, make sure to keep them safely on a leash. That way they cannot dart out the door after the visitors and you have control over their movements in case something triggers an aggressive action. Always make sure your pet is wearing proper identification so if they do happen to escape, they can be easily identified with a microchip or ID tags.

5. Be cautious with pet costumes

If you do choose a costume for your pet, consider your pet’s personality and what type of costume they may tolerate and for how long. Masks and hats that fit around the face, for example, could be okay for the length of time it takes to snap a quick photo, but they can also pose dangers and make your pet feel uncomfortable. It is best to keep pet costumes minimal and always keep an eye on your pet if they are in a costume to make sure they are comfortable and can move freely. Also be sure to remove any chewable parts or objects that could come off and choke your pet.

7. Hide the treats

Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets, which is why you should keep all treats out of reach. Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute, xylitol, can cause serious problems in pets. Plus, dogs may gobble up candy wrappers, and cellophane or foil wrappers can cause many issues if swallowed. Even natural treats like caramel apples should be off limits. Intestinal upsets, GI blockages, and pancreatitis can result from eating items that are not normally on your pet’s menu. Keep the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline handy: 888-426-4435 (please note that the hotline may charge a consultation fee). If you suspect your pet has eaten something that’s bad for them, call your veterinarian or the Poison Control Center immediately.

To stock up on Pet Wants Calm Balm and supplements before Halloween, be sure to visit our store locator to find a Pet Wants location most convenient for you! While you’re there, don’t forget to shop all of our fresh pet food, and natural treats and chews, so that your pet doesn’t feel left out this Halloween. There’s no tricks to our ingredients, only treating your pet right!