HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Lights and decorations, costumes and masks, a constant parade of strangers at the door … Halloween can be a downright spooky experience for our pets with risks of poisoning, intestinal blockage and lost pets. *
CONCERNS:
  • Poisoning: Ingestion of glow sticks or Halloween candy containing chocolate or xylitol, both of which can be toxic for pets
  • Intestinal blockage: Glow sticks, some candies, decorations or parts of a pet’s costume could cause intestinal blockage
  • Injury: Lit candles or jack-o-lanterns can burn
  • Stress and escape: Noises, strangers in costumes, continuous door ringing and opening and closing of the door can stress your pets and give them opportunity to escape
PREVENTION:
  • Don’t feed Halloween candy to your pets
  • Never leave your pet unsupervised with accessible candy or decorations, or while they are in costume
  • Identify your pet with a registered microchip, collar and ID tag
  • Keep lit candles, jack-o-lanterns, glow sticks and other decorations out of reach
  • Give your pet a quiet, safe hiding place inside and away from activity
MAKE SURE PET COSTUMES:
  • Fit properly
  • Have no pieces that can easily be chewed off or cause choking
  • Don’t hinder sight, hearing, breathing, opening the mouth, or movement

* From the American Veterinary Medical Association
In case of an animal-related toxicity, please immediately call our office at 717-501-4800 or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-426-4435
ENJOY YOUR SPOOKY EVENING!