Halloween Can Mean Horrors for Pets

Because Halloween can be a spooky--even dangerous--holiday for your pets, here’s a few common-sense safety tips to help you protect them:

·         Don't leave your pets out in the yard on Halloween: there are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, even killed pets on this night.  This is especially true for black cats. Many adoption agencies and humane societies will not allow adoption of black cats around Halloween for this reason.

• Candy is not a “treat” for pets.  In fact, chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
  
  

·         Glow sticks are also hazardous to your pet.  And these toys seem to be particularly attractive to cats. Over the past year, 70 percent of Pet Poison Hotline’s calls relating to glow sticks involved cats. In addition to the choking hazard, the contents of glow sticks can cause pain and irritation in the mouth.

• Candle-lit pumpkins can be dangerous to pets, who may knock it over be burned or cause a fire.
  
  
• Unless you know your dog loves it, dressing your dog in a costume can cause him/her a lot of stress.  If you do dress up your dog, make sure the costume isn't constricting or unsafe.  And be particularly careful not to obstruct his or her vision; even the sweetest dogs can get snappy when they can't see what's going on around them.

• All but the most social dogs should be kept in a separate room during trick-or-treat visiting hours; too many strangers in strange garb can be scary for a dog.
  
  
• Pets are better off left at home during trick-or-treat excursions; however, if they are taken along, it is best to keep them on a very short leash to keep them from fighting with other animals or biting strangers they encounter.

• Finally, be especially careful your cat or dog doesn't dart out through an open door.

With these tips in mind, this haunting holiday can be a lot safer for all members of your family.