WHAT ABOUT OUR FURRY PETS this halloween? 

Here is how to keep them safe

• 1.  KEEP YOUR PET AT HOME AND AWAY FROM THE DOOR. Halloween can be overwhelming for your pet with the doorbell ringing and children screaming. It's easy for a pet to slip out when a door is open, or your pet may bite children out of fear or nervousness. So they don't stress out, place them in a safe, quiet room, surrounded by the toys they love, and on their favorite bed if they have one.

• Do not take them out to trick-or-treat and don't leave them outside in the yard or patio while children are going from house to house.

  2.  WATCH THE CANDY DISH.  Do not feed your pet any candy -- especially chocolate -- and do not leave the candy where a pet will be able to "help themselves."  As a reminder, foods such as chocolate, grapes and raisins can make your pet sick.  Sugar-free candy can be worse, it contains xylitol, a sugar substitute, that is toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Candy should always be out of reach from pets, and children should be taught never to share their treats. If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian right away.

  3.  GLOW STICKS HELP LITTLE ONES STAY SAFE BUT NOT ANIMALS.  The glowing liquid inside glow sticks is non-toxic, so it won’t actually make your pets sick if they accidentally get into one, but it does taste awful. A pet who ingests glow sticks may show signs of drooling, pawing at their mouth and may even vomit. If this does happen, some fresh water or a small meal can help clear the liquid from your pet’s mouth.

  4.  ID YOUR PET. Make sure that your dog or cat is wearing their Broward County pet registration license tag on their collar. This will help ensure that your pet will be returned to you if he/she does get lost. If your pet has a microchip, be sure the chip is registered to your current contact information.

• 5. BEWARE OF PET COSTUME HAZARDS. Your dog or cat may look very cute, but be wary of pet costumes that use rubber bands to hold it in place. If you mistakenly leave rubber bands on your pet after the costume comes off, the band can burrow into the animal's skin and cause infection. In addition, the pet may swallow the elastic, which can result in intestinal problems.

• 6. USE ELECTRIC OR BATTER POWERED CANDLES. If you’re using candles to light jack-o-lanterns and other Halloween decor, flameless candles are a better alternative and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Have fun on Halloween by ensuring EVERYONE in the family is safe.