Halloween can be a traumatic and even dangerous time for our pets. I want
to take this time to offer you some common sense tips to protect your pets
on Halloween.
* Don't leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween; there are many stories
of pets being teased, injured, stolen, or even killed on this night.
* Trick or treat candy is not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to many
animals due to the theobromine content. Tin foil and cellophane candy
wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
* Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin: Pets may knock it over and cause
a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.
* Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know they like it; otherwise
it puts alot of stress on the animal. If you do dress up your dog, make
sure the costume is not constricting, annoying , or unsafe. Be careful
not to obstruct vision because even the sweetest dogs can get snappy when
they can't see what is going on around them.
* Keep your pets in a separate room during trick or treat visiting hours;
too many people in strange costumes can be very scary and cause your pet
to become frightened and run out of the house.
Many dogs are very protective of their territory. Don't let pets mingle
with costumed Halloween guests who might frighten them. You take the
chance that your pet will bite a visitor as he tries to defend his territory.
* Make sure your pets always wear id tags just in case they do escape.
* Black cats are particularly susceptible to cruel pranks during
Halloween. Keep all cats indoors.
While this can be a fun time for people and pets alike, remember that your
pets are depending on you to keep them safe from the more dangerous
goblins and ghouls that this holiday brings!
