Halloween can be a festive and fun time of year for children and families; but for pets, it can be stressful and even dangerous. The Seattle Humane Society provides these tips to help keep your furry family members safe this season:

Keep you pet inside

Keep your companion animals in a room away from the front door when trick-or-treaters are visiting. It is too easy for them to be frightened by the goblins and slip out the door.

Update identification

Make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing up-to-date identification. Most veterinarians and shelters offer microchipping. If your pet is already microchipped, be sure the company has your current address and phone numbers.

Feed treats made for pets

Chocolate and other seemingly harmless ingredients can be poisonous to dogs and cats, so keep them out of reach. Dispose of the wrappers where pets can’t get them to avoid choking. Also, remember that children may not understand why Fluffy can’t share their treats, so use this as a teaching opportunity.

Decorate with caution

Tail wagging is a good thing – unless it’s done around a lit candle. Keep candles and lit jack-o-lanterns at an appropriate height where your pets can’t knock them over, or get burned.

Keep costumes safe

A decorative collar is far more comfortable than a costume. The elastic in costumes can restrict circulation and restricted vision can lead to accidents. Loose-fitting costumes can become tangled and small, dangling pieces can create a choking hazard. Make sure your pet thinks a costume is as much fun as you do before you dress him up for Halloween.