Potential halloween pet hazards

Halloween is a fun celebration with all the decorations, costumes, and candy.  With all the excitement of Halloween, it's natural to want to include our pets in all the festivities.  However, it is important for us to be aware of the potential hazards and dangers to our pets, that our pets are not aware of.  

Candy

Overall, it is best that we don't give candy to our dogs period.  But, here are a few specific candies to be aware of. 
Chocolate is very dangerous for a dog.  A certain amount of chocolate can cause seizures, muscle tremors and possibly a heart attack.  
Hard candies are a choking hazard.  Mixing a smooth hard candy with dogs saliva makes a small slippery object easy for a dog to inhale, causing the dog to choke.
Sugar Free Gum and Candy has an ingredient called Xylitol.  Xylitol which can drop a dogs blood sugar rapidly causing the dog to have seizures, become lethargic and unable to walk.  
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Costumes

dWe all love to dress our dogs in costumes.  The safest costumes are Halloween themed collars, harnesses, leashes, and a loosely tied bandanna around the neck.  When dressing your dog in a costume, be aware of any loose strings that the dog can get tangled up in and any loose fabrics the dog can choke on.  

Lost Pets

Be aware that Halloween can bring out a mean spirit in people and pranksters who like to mess around with animals (especially black cats).  It is best to keep your pets inside or in a kennel on Halloween night.  If your pet needs to go out, go out with them.