Halloween is “spook-tacular” for kids of all ages, but the holiday can be pretty scary for our pets. So, we’d like to remind pet owners of a few safety tips before the ghosts and goblins come begging on October 31.

Never feed candy to your pet, especially chocolate. If you suspect your dog or cat has gotten into Halloween treats, contact your veterinarian right away.

Costumes can be scary to some pets. If your pet is easily spooked by strangers or loud noises, consider keeping them safe in a pet crate or confined to a quiet room while trick-or-treaters are out. Also, if your pet is normally kept outside, consider bringing them inside on Halloween, or keep them in your garage or basement during the festivities.

Although they look cute, many pets don’t enjoy being dressed up for Halloween. If you do put your pet in a costume, make sure it doesn’t interfere with their vision, breathing, or movement, and remove any parts that could be chewed off and present a hazard.

Since they can escape when you open the door for trick-or-treaters, be sure your pet is wearing a collar with a license or ID tag securely attached. You may also consider microchipping your cat or dog. Check with your veterinarian.

If your pet does get loose, check with all local shelters and animal rescue groups, as scared pets can sometimes travel long distances. You can file a report at www.kingcounty.gov/LostAPet.