With Halloween on the horizon, it’s important to be prepared and take necessary safety precautions while including pets in all the trick-or-treating fun. From keeping pets comfortable in costumes to ensuring they are safe while hitting the streets, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) provides owners with tips and products to keep pets safe and happy this Halloween.

Be cautious when bringing pets trick-or-treating

  • While bringing pets along through the neighborhood, it’s important to keep them properly restrained at all times. For the safety of everyone, don’t allow pets to walk up to front doors, and be sure to keep them at a safe distance from other kids and pets.
  • In addition to proper restraint, make sure pets have collars and identification tags on at all times. Check out fun, Halloween-themed collars here.
  • Keep pets easily visible and safe from passing cars and trick-or-treaters with proper reflectors or glow-in-the-dark accessories.
  • While walking pets, remember to practice responsible pet ownership. Be sure to bring along plenty of waste pick-up bags while hitting the streets.

Halloween costumes

When dressing up your pet this Halloween, be sure the costume is not too tight or constricting. Pets should still be able to move around comfortably and breathe easily. Don’t trick your pets into wearing a costume that seems uncomfortable and make sure costumes don’t have small and dangling pieces which can present choking hazards.

Distraction from trick-or-treaters & guests

With kids constantly at the door, make sure pets don’t have the ability to dart out. Keep them calm and safe in a separate room with plenty of toys and treats of their own to keep them occupied and entertained. Check out fun toys including the orange and black spider-webbed Arachnoid Ball, Halloween-themed catnip toys, and scratching posts.

 
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is the leading not-for-profit trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958.  APPA membership includes nearly 1,000 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers, representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises.  APPA's mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper. Visit www.americanpetproducts.org for more information.