Top five ways to keep pets safe this Halloween

Hide the candy. Sounds obvious, but every year BluePearl veterinarians treat dozens of dogs and cats who have scarfed down way too many sweets. This can cause pancreatitis, or even intestinal blockages (because dogs and cats are not skilled at unwrapping candy.) Chocolate also is toxic to dogs. Never let your kids leave trick-or-treat bags on bedroom floors.
Keep pets away from the door. People don't think of this one, but dogs and cats can get lost for days -- or hit by cars -- if they slip out. And depending on your neighborhood, that door could open dozens of times for trick-or-treaters. Keep pets in a safe room or away from the door.
Microchip your pet. Even if you take precautions, pets do tend to slip out during times of hustle and bustle. A microchip is one of the best ways to make sure lost pets will be found and returned home safely. Talk to your primary care veterinarian about this.
Go minimal on pet costumes. Your pet will like a costume mostly because your pet likes spending time with you. But your pet may also swallow buttons or frantically claw through any get-up that feels too tight. So keep costumes loose-fitting and simple.
Throw away glow-sticks. Lots of kids wear them for trick-or-treating, but they are quickly forgotten once everyone gets home. Cats tend to love them, even though they can be toxic.