The Richmond SPCA’s Fifth Annual Cat Tales & Cocktails Halloween party and benefit begins Friday evening at 7 p.m., which gives you a few early evening hours to hand out candy to the neighborhood goblins and ghouls before donning your own costume to join the fun. If your pets are by your side while you’re passing out treats, here’s a few things to keep in mind:

1.    No matter how special Fido and Fluffy’s tricks are, the bowl of candy is only for human trick-or-treaters. All chocolate can be dangerous for dogs and cats, and candy wrappers pose a potential choking hazard. It’s smart to keep a separate bowl of pet-approved treats nearby. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2.    Most dogs or cats should be kept in a separate room during high-traffic trick-or-treating hours. The presence of strangers in unusual garb can be scary and stressful for many animals. Even if your pets are extremely social and friendly, remember not all your visitors may be expecting Fido’s special greeting. Some people may be fearful of animals.

3.    When answering the door for trick-or-treaters, be careful your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside. Putting up a baby gate can be helpful in keeping Fido at a safe distance. Fluffy the cat may be best confined in a separate room. Prepare a stuffed Kong or catnip-filled toys before the evening begins, so your pets have their own entertainment options. If Fluffy is a particular flight-risk or Fido is reactive to the sound of the doorbell, consider spending the evening handing out candy on the front porch or skipping trick-or-treaters altogether by turning off the front porch light.

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