With Halloween around the corner, a few tips to keep this holiday festive and full of fun instead of turning it into a nightmare.

First and foremost keep the chocolate and sweets away from your animals. We have mentioned several times already that just a tiny bit of chocolate can be lethal for cats and dogs. Also raisins are not something you want your animals to snack on!

Some animals respond less than joyful to your favorite costume. The strange look of their owners scares many of them. Better to introduce your outfit to the animals earlier in the day, maybe during a petting session.

Don’t forget the danger of little “Trick or Treaters” knocking at your door several times during the evening. Make sure that animals can’t escape. Some dogs will get into a barking frenzy when confronted with all these “strange creatures”. That again will definitely spoil the fun or scare off the little ghosts and goblins. Keep your animal in a safe place, and bring dogs that are normally kept outside into your house.

If you have a patient dog that lets you dress him up - do it and enjoy! Remember though that a dog in a costume should not be left without supervision. They can chew and choke on smaller parts, or get caught in bushes, even on furniture. And please make sure that the costume does not interfere with the animal’s movement or even ability to walk.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!