Halloween can be a lot of fun, but not so if your BFF (that's best furry friend) should bolt away in the dead of night, terrifed by the explosive sounds of fireworks (my Kaya-girl was so frightened of fireworks she would cower in the basement till it was all over) or, end up in the emergency clinic as a result of getting into halloween goodie bags and pigging out on chocolate. 

Forgo the stress and dangers this year by following these 8 easy tips from Yaletown Pet Hospital:

1. Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. All forms of chocolate can be dangerous, even lethal, for dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. The artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs and ingestion of raisins can also be toxic.

2. Don't leave pets out in the yard on Halloween and keep your outdoor cats inside for several days before and after Halloween. Unfortunately pets can be the target for some unruly Halloween pranks, let's keep them safe inside. 

3. Keep pets confined and away from the door. It is scary for our furry friends when strangers are dressed in unusual costumes and yelling loudly for their candy. Dogs are especially territorial and may become anxious and growl at innocent trick-or-treaters. Putting your dog or cat in a secure room away from the front door will also prevent them from darting outside into the night… a night when no one wants to be searching for a lost loved one.

4. Keep Halloween plants such as pumpkins and corn cobs out of reach. Relatively nontoxic, such plants can induce gastrointestinal upset or intestinal blockage can occur should your pet ingest them in large quantities.

5. Don't keep lit pumpkins around pets. Should they get too close, they run the risk of burning themselves or knocking it over and causing a fire.

6. Keep wires and electric light cords out of reach. If chewed, your pet could cut himself or herself on shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

7. Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know they'll love it. If your pet is partaking in the Halloween festivities, make sure their costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict movement, hearing, or the ability to breathe or bark and meow. Festive bandanas usually work for party poopers!

8. IDs, please! If your dog or cat should escape and become lost, having the proper identification will increase the chances that they will be returned. Just make sure the information is visible and up-to-date, even if your pet has an embedded microchip.

Have a Happy Halloween!!