Save pets from having hair-raising Halloween

The Humane Society of the United States is reminding pet owners that this haunting holiday may be too scary for pets. Companion animals aren't used to the doorbell-ringing, costumed creatures and general hustle-and-bustle around homes this time of year.

"For your pet's comfort and safety, the best thing that you can do is to make sure that they have a stress-free holiday," according to Adam Goldfarb, director of the Pets at Risk program for The Humane Society of the United States. "The noises, smells and people can be overwhelming for many pets on Halloween, so create a safe haven in one room of your home where he or she can quietly relax."

To help keep pets safe and happy this Halloween, The HSUS recommends the following tips:

• Keep pets safely indoors, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities.

• Make sure pets are wearing tags with current ID. Opening the door repeatedly for trick-or-treaters creates plenty of escape opportunities.

• Keep candy out of pets' reach. Chocolate and other ingredients can be toxic to them.

• Most pets are happiest wearing nothing but their birthday suit. Costumes and masks can make pets uncomfortable or even cause injury.

• Decorations can be dangerous, so be sure to keep them safely away from pets. Candle flames can set fire to a pet's fur. Hanging or dangling decorations can be an entanglement or choking hazard to some animals.

• Use fake cobwebs sparingly, if at all. Pets can choke on fake cobwebs set up indoors. Outdoors, fake webs may be a hazard to birds and wildlife.

• When going out trick-or-treating, leave your dog at home. Dogs can be easily excited by the Halloween commotion and a dog bite or lost dog will quickly end the evening's fun.

Don't forget about wildlife on Halloween, either. Nocturnal animals such as raccoons, opossums and foxes will be out looking for food. If you come across a wild animal while out trick-or-treating, your best bet is to keep your distance - and keep your pets away from wild animals, too.