Halloween is a fun and exciting time for children and adults, but for animals it can be stressful and even dangerous.
RTÉ News spoke to Head of Welfare Advocacy at the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) Gillian Bird about how the Halloween season affects our furry friends.
She said: "Halloween is extremely stressful for animals, there's lots and lots of things going on. You’ve got lots of noises, strange smells, you’ve got bonfires, you’ve got strange activities, people dressing up."
Ms Bird said that it is not just households pets that are impacted.
"This is the time of the year where a lot of animals are trying to prepare for hibernation, so when we disturb their sleeping places, their resting places, by taking all the wood piles away, and taking things from hedges, we’re disturbing them as well," she said.
Pet owners have also spoken out about the anxiety their animals experience during this time.
RTÉ visited Fernhill Dog Park, operated by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, to hear from locals about how their dogs cope with Halloween.
One dog owner, Fiona, shared a frightening experience from last year.
"At 11 o'clock at night, we were out walking where we thought it would be nice and quiet, and some teenagers approached us and began letting fireworks off right beside the dog," she said.
Fiona says her dog has been very scared ever since.
There are some steps pet owners can take to protect their animals.
Spokesperson for Irish Blue Cross and Veterinary Ireland Dr Claire Corridan said: "Make sure your dog has been out, had their exercise and the opportunity to go to the toilet earlier in the day."
If your dog is hesitant to go outside after dark, Dr Corridan recommends "creating a safe indoor space, such as a doggie toilet or using incontinence pads".
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For cats, she advises having enough litter trays available inside.
To help keep pets calm, plug-in pheromones are available over the counter, along with sprays and collars.
While L-tryptophan supplements, which are comprised of amino acids, can also help reduce stress levels.
However, if your pet is showing signs of severe anxiety, Dr Corridan recommended seeking professional help so the vet can grade their level of anxiety and provide the correct support.
There are also ways to gradually desensitise pets to noise. One key tip is to stay calm and stick to your usual routine.
"If you behave as if it’s a normal evening and there’s nothing to worry about, your animals are more likely to take that queue from you," Dr Corridan said.
"And if your pet wants to hide - let them," she said, adding that cats may seek out quiet spots under the bed or on top of cupboards, while dogs will often show you where they feel safest.
With a little preparation and care, Halloween does not have to be a nightmare for your pets.
