Denver Animal Protection Offers Tips to Keep Pets Safe on Halloween
Published on October 24, 2024
Halloween is a night of fun frights for humans but can be a horribly haunting holiday for our pets. Frightened animals are more likely to bite, scratch or bolt from your house to escape perceived danger, and certain foods can make them sick. So the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment and its division, Denver Animal Protection (DAP), offer this sound advice to keep your dogs and cats safe when ghosts and goblins lurk into your neighborhood.
Trick-or-Treating Can Terrify Toto and Tabby
Be aware that people dressed in costumes and masks—even people they know—may scare your pet or cause uncertainty. Constant knocking or doorbells ringing can also put a pet on edge, especially since instinctually they just want to protect their people. Consider crating or keeping your dog in a quiet enclosed room with a TV or music on for company and something yummy to chew on.
Dressing Up Your Pet May Bring Them Down
Pet owners will spend a scary amount of money on pet costumes in 2024—about $700 million. But if you don’t know that your pet enjoys being dressed up, be aware that wearing a costume can cause them stress. It can cause a pet to overheat or make it tough for them to breathe. It can also impair their vision. And pieces that can be chewed off become a choking hazard. Keep a close eye on pets who are dressed to impress—if they don’t seem to be loving the costume, it’s best to take it off. You can always play it safe and put a festive bandana on your pet instead.
Take Steps to Get Frightened, Furry Fugitives Home
Crating is a good idea if you’re handing out candy, because each time the door opens Fido or Fifi have a chance to run out. Ensure your pet has an updated ID tag and has been microchipped, this will help if your pet does escape. If you’ve moved recently or changed your phone number, be sure to update your pet’s microchip with your vet. DAP offers low-cost microchipping to Denver residents on Saturdays and Sundays from 9-11 a.m. at Denver Animal Shelter, 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. DAP also offers ID tags that allow anyone with a smartphone to scan a QR code to find a pet owners' contact information. If your pet does escape, check our lost pets page.
Sweets Can Be Scary Serious
Humans love chocolate, but it’s bad for dogs. The higher the concentrations of cocoa, the worse the reaction. The reason is dogs can’t break down the compound theobromine in chocolate. Also, the darker the chocolate, the more toxic. It puts pressure on a dog’s nervous system and kidneys, which can lead to seizures, muscle tremors and vomiting. The artificial sweetener xylitol is also toxic for dogs, who can’t digest it and may experience a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage. Keep sweets out of reach for the safety of your pets. It’ll save you an expensive trip to the emergency vet, too.
Hosting a Party Can be Hazardous
Be aware that party paraphernalia can cause harm to pets. Keep holiday foods, candles, and lit jack-o’-lanterns out of your dog’s or cat’s reach. A wagging tail could cause an unexpected fire. Glow sticks can also be poisonous. Fake cobwebs and strung lights can entangle your pet. And electrical cords for decorations can be chewed and cause electric shock or burns. If you tuck your pets away in a quiet room, put a sign on the door so party guests don’t surprise your furry family members and vice versa.
And if you are someone who is afraid of ghosts, consider taking in a companion to comfort you through the freaky days ahead. Denver Animal Shelter is offering spooky, low adoption fees of just $31 for any dog over 1 year old. See all available pets here.
DAP officers are available to talk more about these tips and others to keep pets safe this Halloween. Reach out to Tammy.Vigil@denvergov.org to schedule.