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- Keep pets safely inside, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities to ensure they don’t become frightened or feel threatened at the sight of noisy costumed children.

- Cats, especially black ones, may be the target of pranksters. Cat owners are advised to keep their cats safely indoors during the Halloween season.

- Frequently opened doors provide a perfect opportunity for escape, which can go unnoticed during all the commotion. Consider keeping your cat in a separate room with the door closed. For dogs, preventing access to the door can be as simple as keeping them attached to a leash, placing them in their crates or confining to another room using baby gates. Be sure all pets wear collars with ID tags in case of accidental escape. Microchipping your pet is the best way to ensure your pet’s return should he escape.

- Keep candy out of your pet’s reach. Candy can be harmful to pets, and chocolate is toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets.

- Keep pets away from decorations. Flames in jack-o’-lanterns and candles can quickly singe, burn or set fire to a pet’s fur. Pets can become tangled in hanging decorations like streamers and can choke on some decorations if they chew on them.

- Many pets dislike the confinement of costumes and masks. A printed bandana or fun collar can be just as cute and often more comfortable for your pet.

- Don’t bring the family dog along for trick-or-treating. Dogs may become difficult to handle during the noise and confusion of the festivities. A lost dog or a dog bite will quickly end your Halloween fun.

- If you have questions about Halloween pet safety or other behavior-related issues, contact the Humane Society of Missouri Behavior Helpline at 314-951-1540 or e-mail the society’s behavior department at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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