Pets aren't people. But they can still be scared by Halloween spooks.

That's why a national veterinary association has put out the call to pet lovers to protect their pets from getting the creeps, getting hurt, or hurting someone during Halloween.

It's especially relevant in urban settings, where suddenly on one day of the year, a lot of kids are running around. Homes have odd lights, decorations and reachable food.

People are eating candy, dropping candy, and even feeding candy to animals. (The latter is a really bad idea.)

Or have your pet join in the fun!

• Dress Your Pet for Halloween.
• 20 Great Halloween Parades in Brooklyn
• Pet Costume Halloween Parades and Events

Beware the Chocolate, Candy Wrappers and Sugar Substitutes

"The cocoa in chocolate can be poisonous to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the more deadly it can be. In addition, small dogs are more likely to be affected by ingesting a small amount of chocolate than larger dogs, says Dr. Clark K. Fobian, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA).

"Chocolate candies aren’t the only sweets that are potentially dangerous. Some pets will consume a candy whole, including the candy wrapper, which can cause an intestinal blockage. Also, Xylitol, an artificial sweetener used in many chewing gums and baked goods, has been shown to be poisonous to dogs. In addition, raisins, a common healthy treat for kids on Halloween, can be poisonous to dogs and cats," he added.

Kids dressed in ninja or superhero costumes might assume threatening stances, or growl in unnatural voices. Pets can pick up vibes of course, and the Halloween vibe exists somewhere on that spectrum between weird and weirder.

"You Can't Explain to Your Pet that It's Halloween"

The fact that we're in densely populated Brooklyn makes caution all the more important., explains Tom McPheron of the  AMVA. He says, "There will be more costumes and activity about that could upset confused pets, and perhaps more children ringing the doorbell and more candy about the home. You can't explain to your pet that it's Halloween."

As well as you and your pet might communicate, it's going to be tough to explain to an animal that it’s Halloween, which is why people keep knocking on the door.

McPheron adds that  if your animal is unusually prone to stress and aggression, it's a good idea to call your veterinarian about Halloween prevention -- before October 31st.

4 Special Tips for Dressing Up Your Pet for Halloween

The Denver Post reported in 2013 that Americans spend a whopping $320 million on Halloween costumes for their pets. It's a trend.

Putting a costume on your pet? Do unto others. Here are four tips:

1. Don't force your pet to wear anything scratchy, too tight, that obstructs their vision or hearing, opening their mouth or moving around.
2. You'd try on your costume before wearing it for two hours, so let your pet get used to his or her costume, too.
3. When your pet dons the costume, make sure there are no decorations he or she might gnaw or swallow. And, watch for adverse reactions, like allergy or unusual thirst if the costume is hot.
4. Going to an animal costume parade? Brooklyn has over a dozen kiddie parades, and several animal costume parades, too.  Stay cool, and focused on your own animal. If you're relaxed, there's a better chance that your pet will be too.

Put yourself in their, um, paws.

8 More Commonsense Halloween Tips for Pets and Pet Owners

Make sure your pet is safe and stays well on Halloween.

1.  Don't feed your pets Halloween candy.
2. Especially don't feed your pets food that contains chocolate or xylitol (a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free candies and gum); you can eat the dark chocolate but your pet shouldn't.
3. Is your pet properly identified (microchip, collar and ID tag)? You don't want a crisis in the event that he or she nips out the door to join the trick or treating fun.
4. Don't let your pet start a fire in your home, or get burned: keep all jack-o-lanterns out of reach.
5. Do you have special wires and cords running on the floor for Halloween decorations? Tuck them out of the way, and don't let your pet chew on them.
6. Certain Halloween toys are great for kids but potentially dangerous for pets. Don't let them suck, lick or touch anything that you wouldn't. For instance, beware those popular glow sticks and glow jewelry.
7. Know thy pet. Is he or she aggressive? Prone to biting, snarling, spitting or barking like mad? Do yourselves both a favor. Make your pet a comfy nook in a different room, away from the door where you'll be handing out candy to trick or treaters,  give him or her a comforting animal-appropriate treat, and let your pet be a pet, just as children will be children. 
8. Going to a party or a big parade, like the Park Slope Halloween Parade? Creepy haunted houses, like the one in Prospect Park? Here's a commonsense tip: keep your pet safe inside, at home.

A Special Note for Apartment Dwelling Pets

Apartment residents, just like all pet owners,  should make preparations for their animals.

The AMVA's McPheron  notes that in urban areas, a lot of people live in larger apartment buildings, and these buildings will often have internal trick-or-treating traditions—kids will trick or treat down the hallway. "For apartment building residents and their pets, " he notes, "having strangers knock on the door, particularly as often as it happens on Halloween, can be pretty unusual. "  Make arrangements before the fun begins.

For more tips about common household poisons, watch the AVMA’s video on household hazards.

You can also check the ASPCA for tips on pets and Halloween.