Pet Tips for Halloween

Halloween can be a fun and busy night, especially for children but unfortunately, it can be a terrifying time for our four-legged friends.

As Halloween is fast approaching – here are our top tips to help make it as safe and stress-free as possible for your pets:

Make sure there is always a door closed between your pet and the front door when opening it to trick and treaters.

Please bring all pets safely indoors while fireworks are going off as stray fireworks can easily land in your outdoor space.

Dogs will need to toilet outdoors so please ensure your outdoor space is escape proof – check fences, walls, gates etc.

Double check that your pet’s microchip is correctly registered to you and your most up to date contact details. Accidents happen and every year many pets escape, so having an ID tag with your details and a correctly registered microchip will mean your pet can be quickly reunited with you if found.

Walk dogs before it gets dark and fireworks start to go off. Please keep them on a short lead so they can’t dart off if they do hear a frightening noise.

When walking your dog, please make sure their harness or collar are correctly fitted and not too loose, in case they try to get out of them in a panic.

Close curtains and blinds to help muffle firework sounds and bright flashes.

Turn on the TV or radio to help dull the sound of fireworks – many dogs find reggae music soothing.

If your pet wants to hide, please let them. You can download our Doggie Den instructions here or if you have a cat, you can download our Cosy Cat Den instructions here.

If your pet seeks reassurance, please give it to them. They may want to be close to you at all times, and this is understandable as they don’t know what’s happening and may be extremely scared.

If your pet has a toileting accident in your home, please don’t punish or raise your voice at them. They may have been too worried to toilet outside.

You can try to distract your pet with chews or food filled dispensers and can see some recipes here.

Please don’t tie your dog up outside a shop, especially around Halloween.

Consider a Halloween bandana rather than a costume for your pet as many don’t like being dressed up and may bite or scratch, especially if they are already worried by the fireworks.

Keep sweets, chocolate, raisins, grapes and macadamia nuts well out of reach of pets as they can be toxic to them. Please call your vet immediately if you’re worried your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have.

If your pet is very stressed by fireworks, please speak to your vet for advice on what may further help them.

Desensitisation programs can help pets but must be started months in advance, at at time when there are no fireworks going off.