PetSmart® Provides Howl-O-Ween Pet Safety Tips

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WHAT: Safety during Halloween extends to the entire family including pets. These safety tips from PetSmart will help ensure pet parents and their pets have a safe and fun Howl-O-Ween.

“Pets may be alarmed to find a ghost or witch at the front door, so make sure there’s a quiet space away from all the activity in case your pet needs it.”

Keep them happy. “Before having pets join in the Halloween fun, it’s important to assess whether your pet will be comfortable participating or if the festivities will cause undue stress,” says Dr. Simon Starkey, pet care expert at PetSmart. “Pets may be alarmed to find a ghost or witch at the front door, so make sure there’s a quiet space away from all the activity in case your pet needs it.”
Make sure treats are pet friendly. Many Halloween treats are not pet friendly, especially those containing chocolate. Make sure to choose pet-safe treats to celebrate, such as GREENIES^® Dental Chews, which also keep pets’ teeth clean and ensure their breath isn’t scary.
Keep them safe. If you plan to walk your dog around the neighborhood in the evening, make sure he's properly outfitted and at ease around strangers and crowds. An adult should always have control of the dog’s leash, and reflective leashes, collars or ID tags are essential accessories. Some pet costumes also offer safety features such as the glow-in-the-dark Martha Stewart Pets™ black Halloween skeleton costume.
Decorations without danger. Halloween decorations can be scary, but should not be dangerous. Pet parents need to make sure curious cats and dogs are unable to reach lights, decorations, candles and other festive items.

VISUALS: High-resolution images of PetSmart costumes and reflective accessories are available. Please contact Danielle Bickelmann at dbickelmann@golinharris.com or 972-341-2503.

For more information, call the PetSmart 24-Hour Media Line at 623-587-2177.

About PetSmart

PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company employs approximately 50,000 associates and operates more than 1,249 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, over 194 in-store PetSmart^® PetsHotel^® dog and cat boarding facilities and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information (http://www.petsmart.com). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp^SM day care services and pet adoption services. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization and the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities^®, PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets.