Now more than ever, dogs are a vital part of our families. Dogs have become integrated into our customs and celebrations and many dogs are getting dressed up in elaborate costumes this year. More dogs are also going door to door with the kids. Halloween safety is important for our children, but what about the dogs? Here are some tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween.

Keep All Candy Away From Pets
This is vitally important. Most of us know that chocolate can be fatal for dogs. But did you also know that some sweeteners found in sugar-free gum and candy can also prove fatal? Just to be safe, keep all candy away from your pets. This can be difficult as candy is everywhere during the holidays, but the extra effort may save your pet’s life. When your children return from trick or treating, have them dump their earnings onto the kitchen table, not the floor. Or, repurpose an old box into a pumpkin! Simply cover the box in orange construction paper and let the kids draw a jack-o-lantern face on it. They can then store their candy safely in their “pumpkin”, safely away from the pups.

Keep Pets Away From The Door
This can be tough, especially if you want to show off your pup’s costume. Dogs can be tempted to run out the door after screaming children, brightly lit costumes or other moving objects. Not all dogs are child-friendly and some might view the trick-or treators as uninvited guests. Some children are also scared of dogs. So just to be safe (and polite to the children), keep your pooch away from the door.

Have Your Dog Wear Reflective Or Illuminated Collars
Trick or treating with your pet can be fun, but by all means, keep your pooch on a leash. To be extra safe, you might want to use an Illuminated Leash paired up with a matching collar. Reflective Dog Collars are also very popular. If you are looking for something more portable, check out these wonderful Pet Blinker Safety Lights. They attach easily to any collar in the collection. They also can be attached to children’s costumes.

Keep in mind that these safety products are wise choices for your pet year-round. They increase your pet’s visibility and overall safety. One lost pet is simply one too many.

By following these three safety tips for Halloween, you can help your pet have a safe (and fun) Halloween!