Halloween should be a fun holiday for you and your pets. Please follow these pet safety tips from the Southampton Animal Shelter and have a happy howl-o-ween! Please visit the animals at Southampton Animal Shelter any day of the week from 10 am – 5 pm. Come in and meet your new best friend today!

1. NO CANDY FOR YOUR SWEETIE: Keep your Halloween candy away from your pets. Many goodies can be very harmful and toxic to your pets. Chocolate can be toxic so keep pets away so is xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly found in Halloween candy such as gum and peanut butter. Lollipops can be choking hazards, especially the stick, causing painful obstructions or foreign body ingestion that may require surgery to remove. Some dogs will do anything to get to potential food so make sure not to leave your Halloween stash in an accessible place. Please take out the garbage! Remember even plastic candy wrappers and other types of wrapping can also lead to choking, upset stomach, or gastrointestinal obstruction.

2. DOUBLE CHECK THAT COSTUME: If you choose to dress your pets, make sure it is comfortable and fits properly. Beware of small dangling or easy to chew off pieces of a costume. They can be choking hazards and lead to intestinal blockages. We recommend avoiding anything that will cover their eyes and get tangled in their legs. Even if it’s cute, make sure safety comes first. We recommend never leaving your pet alone when in a costume.

3. MAKE SURE YOUR PET IS CURRENT AND UP TO DATE WITH THEIR ID: Make sure your pets ID tag is up to date and that their microchip is registered with your current information. You can microchip your pet on October for $25 at SASF’s Wellness Clinic. Call to schedule an appointment (631) 728-PETS. With the continual opening of the door for trick or treaters, dogs can be spooked or get excited and run out the door. Party poopers are okay! If your dog would be better spending a quiet night in a separate room, do what is most comfortable and safe for your pet.

4. KEEP KITTY INSIDE + WALK YOUR DOG SAFELY: We recommend always keeping your kitties inside, safe from cars and other dangers. When walking your dog at night, make sure your dog is visible. Reflective vests, harness and collars can help your dog avoid potential dangers.

5. WATCH THE DECORATIONS + KEEP WIRES OUT OF REACH
While a carved jack-o-lantern certainly is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. Curious kittens are especially at risk of getting burned or singed by candle flame. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered relatively nontoxic, but can produce stomach discomfort in pets who nibble on them.

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