4 tips for keeping your pet safe around Halloween

While some might see summer as a prime opportunity to get outside and play with their pets, fall can be just as fun for animals.

With proper flea and tick control, dogs and cats can have a good time in the autumn weather around colorful foliage. One holiday that's celebrated by many households across the country is Halloween. However, it's critical to keep an eye on animal wellness during this time of the year when candy and other items can pose hazards for pets. Here are some tips for keeping your cats, dogs and other animals safe throughout the season.

1. Be mindful of parasites

Just because the warm weather is slipping away doesn't mean that fleas and ticks aren't going to be aggressive this fall. For this reason, it's important to use a product such as the Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs and Puppies. These topical drops can keep fleas, ticks and mosquitoes away for up to 30 days. Similar products are available for cats for the utmost protection this fall.

2. Don't stress about costumes

Pet Finder stated that while some pet owners love dressing up their animals for Halloween, it isn't always a wise choice. This is especially true if you have an animal that becomes stressed out easily. A costume can feel constricting to the pet and make it anxious. Don't force a costume on your cat or dog just to get a cute picture.

3. Give your pets a Halloween hideout

Some pets don't like having visitors around, which can be problematic during trick-or-treating. To keep your animals' stress levels down, give them a safe room they can use away from the front door when Halloween night rolls around.

4. Don't feed your pet candy

While it may be tempting for your kids to share their Halloween goodies with your animals, it's best to keep candy away from your pets. The ingredients in human food can often cause problems for cats and dogs. In some cases, candy can be fatal to animals, especially ones that include chocolate. It's best to proceed with caution when dealing with Halloween candy.

By taking these key tips into consideration, your entire household can have a safe, happy Halloween.

This content is provided by the flea and tick experts at Hartz. We believe in offering safe, effective and affordable parasite prevention for every dog and cat.