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As Michiganders make final preparations on costumes and decorative displays for trick-or-treating today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development would like to remind the public of ways to keep their animals healthy and safe this Halloween as well.
"Considering the needs of our animals is important when making plans for Halloween to ensure they won't have any unpleasant scares or additional stress," said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland. "From keeping them away from the candy bowl to ensuring they have up-to-date identification, there are many precautions owners can take to keep their animals safe this Halloween."
MDARD offered these tips --
-- Unsafe eats: Give Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters -- not your animals. Unfortunately, animals cannot enjoy all of the same treats and food we do. Be sure to keep candy or other sweets containing chocolate, raisins and/or xylitol -- an artificial sweetener found in many candies and gum -- away from animals, as these ingredients can be hazardous.
-- Search no more: Make sure animals have proper identification. With opening the door for all the trick-or-treaters, it can be easy for animals to sneak out and get lost. Make sure animals have identification tags and/or up-to-date microchips with current contact information to improve the chances they are returned home.
-- De-stress and decompress: Have a quiet space for your animals. Having a constant stream of visitors can be overly stimulating for animals. It is important to have a quiet space set aside for them to go if they are getting too stressed. Also, have the room stocked with their food, water, litter pan, etc., in case they would like to maintain their distance for an extended period of time.
-- Avoid temptations: Keep Halloween decorations and wires out of reach. Spooky decorations and lights can not only make for a frightful display but also catch the eye of animals in the home. As these items can cause injury, be sure they are kept out of an animal's reach, along with candles with an open flame, glow sticks and potpourri.
-- Cautious costumes: Be thoughtful when selecting a costume for an animal that might not share the same enthusiasm for being dressed up, causing stress and discomfort. Beyond making sure animals are comfortable in their outfit, ensure the costume does not restrict their movement or breathing, block their sight, cause them to get overheated or have small pieces that can be chewed off and become a choking hazard. Also, don't leave a costumed pet unsupervised.
MDARD encourages the public to take any concerns about an animal's health, now or throughout the year, to their veterinarian.