Halloween Pet Safety 101

Halloween is almost here, and if you pet family members we know you want to keep them safe.

-- Plan to celebrate Halloween with your pet? If so, share your photos in our Patch photo gallery. --

Here's 10 "common sense" tips from the ASPCA:

1. Do not give your pet ANY candy, especially chocolate. It can be fatal for dogs and cats. Candies with the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is in gum among other things, can also be a problem. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for anything that concerns you.

2. Do not let your pets nimble on pumpkins or decorative corn. Although relatively nontoxic, it can upset your furry friend's stomach.

3. Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts, burns, or an electrical shock.

4. Watch pumpkins with candles in them. Animals can knock them over, and then you have a pretty fast fire on your hands. Smaller, curious animals run a higher risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Do not force your pet into a costume that he or she does NOT want to be in. It can really cause them stress, and for what, a few photos?

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume does not restrict the animal's movement, hearing, breathing, barking or meowing.When all else fails, and you really want your friend to be festive, just put on a Halloween bandana.

7. Also, make sure the costume does't have parts that the animal can choke on.

8. Know your pet. If your animals is social, he or she can be near the door when trick-or-treaters come. If they are antsy by all the strangers, keep them in a separate room.

8. Do make sure that you keep an eye on your pet and not let them dart outside when greeting trick-or-treaters.

10. And, if they do get out, don't you want your friend found and brought back to you? So, make sure your dog or cat has proper identification.