Halloween & Pets

After reading a message from an on-line friend I began thinking that holidays are about as dangerous for our pets as they are for young children. It is up to us to keep both of them safe.

I have put together a list of things we can do to keep our pets safe. I found many of these suggestions from Partnership of Animal Welfare and from the ASPCA.

1. It is best not to leave your pet outside on Halloween--even in your own backyard. Masks make ordinary people bolder than they would be otherwise. There are people who tease, injure, steal, or kill animals on Halloween.

2. Trick-or-Treat candy or gum, especially sugarless gum, can be dangerous for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs. Candy wrappers that children drop everywhere, are a choking hazard.

3. Be careful that your pet doesn't bump into or attack a lit jack-o-lantern.

4. Trick-or-Treaters in strange costumes test even the best dogs. You don't want your dog frightening Trick-or-Treaters or running into the streets. It is best to put a dog or cat into a room away from the front door or in a crate.

I will put Taz in her crate and throw a blanket over all but the front door. She will feel like she is burrowed in a little cave. This seems to soothe her when she gets agitated.

5. Here is a controversial one. Unless your pet really enjoys dressing up, don't put him in a costume. The animal could become frustrated and aggressive.

If you put your pet in a costume, make sure it is flame retardant, doesn't have parts that can be swallowed, or is too constricting. Make sure the pet's vision isn't blocked. That could make the pet frustrated and cause him to bite or scratch.

Those tips should simplify your Halloween.

How will I spend the holiday? Our church had its Fall Carnival Sunday so I will celebrate the 31 by watching a spooky movie and handing out candy. If there's nothing good on TV, I have a copy of the B & W classic, The Day the Earth Stood Still. I will enjoy some popcorn and left over-candy. Hopefully the Trick-or-Treaters will go home early and the dogs can join us in the den--but they only get dog biscuits.