Halloween can be dangerous for dogs, cats and other pets. Here are 4 tips to keep them safe

Think twice before dressing your pet in a Halloween costume, and definitely don’t let him anywhere near the Halloween candy bowl.

With all its excitement and tricks, Halloween can be dangerous for pets.

“This Halloween, experts of Angell Animal Hospital in Boston – one of the busiest 24-7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals in the world, treating more than 100,000 animals annually – highlight potential problems for pets and how owners can keep them safe and happy,” according to a press release from the MSPCA ( Massachusetts Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals) said.

Here are three tips to keep your pets safe.

Do not give your dog (or cat) chocolate

Chocolate is notoriously bad for dogs, and cats for that matter.

“Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which are harmful to cats and dogs,” says Dr. Kiko Bracker, director of Angell’s Emergency and critical care team, stated in a release. “If they eat too much, chocolate can even be fatal.”

Bracker added dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolatebut both pose a threat.

“The the chocolate is more bitterthe more dangerous it is, but it’s important to keep all types of chocolate away from your pets this Halloween and, if they do eat it, call the Animal Poison Control Hotline, your vet or an emergency department like ours, Bracker stated.

MSCPA Angell has emergency services available 24/7 Boston And Waltham.

Make sure your pet’s Halloween costume is loose

The MSPCA Angel stated that costumes can potentially make it difficult for pets to breathe or see.

“People may find pets in costumes entertaining, but the vast majority of our animals would prefer not to dress up,” Brakker stated in a press release. “However, if you choose to dress up your pet, there are a few things you should ask yourself before purchasing a costume.

“First, is the costume loose enough that they can breathe no matter how and where they move? Even though the costume may seem like it fits, it may be loose enough or have fabric on it that could get caught on furniture, which could also hurt your pet.”

Give pets a chance to get used to your costume

The MSPCA stated that pets can also be afraid of people in disguise, which can rattle the animals.

“There are many things that can make our dogs and cats anxious around Halloween, including our own costumes,” Aidan Wilkiecoordinator for MSPCA-Angell dog training in Methuen and Waltham, stated in a news release.

“If you plan to dress up, we recommend laying out costumes before wearing them so that dogs and cats can familiarize themselves with the outfits through smell and sight.”

Use caution when opening the door for trick-or-treaters

The masks people wear on Halloween can be terrifying to a pet, so be careful when opening the door so they don’t run away.

“If they experience stress or anxiety with all activities, they may run away when you open the door to greet trick-or-treaters, so it is also important to ensure that pets are microchipped and that the information is accurate and up to date. -date is. until now,” Wilkie declared.

This article originally appeared on Wicklocal.com: Halloween Pet Safety Tips: 4 Ways to Keep Your Dog or Cat Safe