4 Tips to Remember During Halloween: (By Dr. Marty Becker)

Missing Pets: Halloween is the holiday more pets go missing than any other time during the year. Between the bizarre sights and smells and the constant flow of new people, even the tamest cats and dogs may take the opportunity to head for the hills. The solution: Make sure you know where your pets are, and make sure they're secured before twilight. For dogs with yard access, make sure your fence has no loose boards and that the gate is locked. Indoors, keep cats and dogs comfortable in a closed room or crate until the last trick-or-treater has come and gone. 

Candy: Make sure all candy is out of reach - no bags left around for scavenging. And be aware that the two biggest problems with Halloween treats are chocolate and the artificial sweetener Xylitol. Check not only candy bags but also purses and backpacks to make sure there aren't hidden dangers a creative pet can get into.

'Eye' on the Door: Pets are territorial and curious by nature, and with so much action at the front door, your pet may be inclined to protect you or themselves from strangely dressed invaders. Don't underestimate what a frightened cat can do: Keep your cat in another room to prevent his running away.

Stranger Danger: Even though pets have a much keener sense of smell than we do, that doesn't mean they're not going to try to protect you from the neighborhood children when they are dressed like Harry Potter, Jack Sparrow or a Smurf. In addition to keeping your pet away from the door, you might want to skip the evening walk on Halloween. If you do go out, make sure your pet is on a leash, so even if they do get alarmed, you can better control them.