On Halloween, everyone says, “Trick or treat” but all we really want is treats. The same goes for your pets.

The problem is, they don’t always know what’s a good treat for them and what isn’t… and Halloween can make things pretty confusing.

But candy isn’t the only threat to your pet’s well-being on this spooky holiday. There are plenty of other ways they can get into trouble while you’re having fun. Take the time to learn the risks and prevent them in your home.

1. Candy

Let’s start with the obvious. Chocolate and many other types of candy can be incredibly dangerous if consumed by pets. They may even be lethal in large quantities or without speedy intervention. So, it’s critical that you keep a close eye on Halloween candy and teach your kids to do the same.

Chocolate can cause rapid breathing, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. And candy that contains xylitol (artificial sweetener) may cause a drop in blood sugar, loss of coordination and seizures in dogs. If you think your pets may have consumed candy, watch for these symptoms.

2. Trick or Treaters

If your home welcomes trick or treaters, then it’s best to keep your pets locked in another room or a part of the house that’s far away from the front door. Lots of strangers coming and going in unusual costumes can be alarming, and may result in uncharacteristic aggression or escape attempts.

3. Pranksters

Even if your dog or cat is normally OK hanging out in the backyard, Halloween is a whole different story. Unfortunately, there are people out there who think it’s funny to pull pranks by taunting, stealing, injuring or even killing pets on Halloween. It’s hard to believe, but it happens, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Only let pets outside on the holiday and the days leading up to it when they can be accompanied by you the whole time.

4. Black Cats

Black cats are especially at risk around Halloween, so be extra careful if you have a cute black kitty at home. Some shelters won’t even adopt black cats in the weeks leading up to Halloween for this reason.

5. Costumes

The fact is, many pets do not like wearing costumes. They’re not really in on the fun – all they know is they’re wearing something that could be uncomfortable. If you are considering getting a costume for your pet, just be sure to try it on them before the big day and really pay attention to see how they’re doing. If they seem distressed or try to get it off, you may need to nix the costume. No matter what, make sure that it doesn’t impede their ability to walk, see, hear and breathe.

6. Candles & Decorations

Keep electric, battery-powered and candle decorations far out of reach of pets at all times. If they get curious, they run the risk of being burned, electrocuted or swallowing dangerous parts. After adding any new decoration to your home, assess the risk and take necessary precautions to keep pets away.

7. IDs & Chips

Your very last failsafe is to do everything possible to ensure your pet is safely returned to you in case they get out. So, be sure they’re wearing their collar with ID tags. And if you haven’t done so yet, this is a good time to have them microchipped and registered to you.

Please keep in mind that Animal Emergency of Mokena is always open all night on Halloween, so we will be here for you in case anything goes wrong.