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!