Helpful tips for pet owners

Halloween safety

Halloween can be a festive and fun occasion for children and families, but for family pets, it can be a stressful and even dangerous time of year. PAWS of Bremerton offers pet owners some common sense tips to help keep their pets safe during Halloween:

Don’t leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween. There are plenty of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured and stolen pets on this night. Also, keep your pets inside several days before and after Halloween.

When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, be careful your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers in unusual garb can be scary for a dog or cat.

Make sure your dog or cat is wearing proper identification. If for any reason they escape and become lost, you increase the chances that they will be returned to you.

Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

Don’t dress your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it. A costume can put too much stress on your pet. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict movement, hearing or the ability to breathe or bark.

BJ ALCORN

PAWS of Bremerton

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.