While Halloween is fun for kids and adults, it can be a nightmare for pets, according to Friends of Animal Care & Control.
FACC has some advice for pet owners to make the holiday safe and stress-free for our furry friends:
-- Make sure your animals are safely indoors for Halloween. You don't want pranksters teasing, scaring or harming dogs and cats that are kept in front yards or wandering the streets Halloween night.
-- If possible, keep your pets in a spare bedroom for the evening. Dogs and cats can quickly dart out the door unnoticed and even the calmest dog may be scared by costumed visitors, which could result in a bite.
-- Keep your pets away from Halloween candy. Chocolate can be toxic and cellophane or tin foil wrappings could get caught in your pet's digestive tract, causing illness or even death.
-- Watch your pet around jack-o-lanterns. Curious cats may try to play with the flickering flame and a rambunctious pup could accidentally knock over the Halloween pumpkin.
-- Don't force your pet to wear a costume. If your dog or cat enjoys dressing up, make sure the costume isn't restrictive or interferes with your pet's vision. Always supervise your pet while he or she is in costume.
The ASPCA adds:
-- Keep wires and cords out of your pet's reach. Some pets chew and might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
For more on the Halloween season, go to our Halloween Headquarters.
