By Tanya M. Ursual

From The Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) L.A.W.S., P.O. Box 156, Smiths Falls, ON, K7A 4T1:

Keeping your pet safe on Halloween

Halloween is a fun time for kids and families but can you imagine how frightening it must be for your pet. Their safe and familiar home suddenly becomes a place of strange noises, ringing doorbells, scary costumes and poisonous chocolates and treats.

Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your family pet has a safe Halloween.

Put your pet in a safe place for the night. Enclosing them in a bathroom or bedroom with their water/food and litter box is the safest thing you can do. Your pet will be frightened by the ringing doorbell and scary visitors. Frequently opened doors can provide your pet with the perfect chance to escape. Make sure all pets are wearing their ID tags and collars.

Candy can be poisonous to pets. Chocolate can be especially dangerous to pets so be sure all candy is safely out of reach even in the days leading up to Halloween.

Candles, Jack-o-lanterns, and lights can cause a fire. Be very cautious when pets are near candles or any open flames.

Pets don’t like dressing up in costumes. Resist the urge to put your pet in a costume. Although you may think they would make the perfect ghost, goblin or princess, most pets do not enjoy the feeling of being restricted by clothing.

Leave your dog at home when trick-or-treating. Everyone‘s safety should be the primary concern on Halloween. A dog that becomes spooked by costumers can be difficult to handle. Leave your dog at home and concentrate on navigating children safely through trick or treating.

Halloween decorations can be choking hazards. Electrical cords and fake spider webs can pose dangers to pets. Dogs and cats can become tangled by dangling cords and even face electrical shock.