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When I was a kid Halloween was blustery and cool and the air was filled with swirling multicolored leaves, thousand s of jack-O-lanterns with crooked grins. We stayed up late, sorting our candy and revel in our tales of the evening’s trick or treating. What a great time to be a kid!
I also remember our dog Dalmatian, Chip, barking at the intruders who were ringing the doorbell and eventually being relegated to the back room. As an animal owner, it’s important that we take responsibility of our pets at all times, but especially during busy and stressful holidays. It’s important to remember a holiday, like Halloween that is so much fun for the two legged members of the household can be downright terrifying to the four-legged members!
Here are some quick tips to ensure a happy Halloween for your entire household.
Keep your indoor/outdoor cats IN on Halloween and the night before. It’s an unbelievably despicable truth that bad people torture and ‘sacrifice’ cats during this time of year. Be on the safe side and put up with the yowling but keep your cat inside! TIP: Leave a radio on to keep your company or a pet music CD. www.musicforpetsandpeople.com
Don’t leave candy where your pets can reach it. Candy isn’t a treat for pets, even if they beg for it. Some candies can be downright toxic based on the size of the pet and the type of treat. Avoid a rush visit to the animal ER and keep the candy out of reach of prying paws and noses. TIP: Keep emergency phone numbers and directions on hand before you need them. www.muttleycrew.biz/resources
If your pets are easily riled by noise, find a quite room for them while you’re handing out treats. Most pets are excited at the prospect of company, but the consistent parade of strangers dressed in outlandish costumes can cause your dog or cat anxiety. They may be tempted to run though the door either at your trick-or-treaters or right past them into the street.
Don’t give in to your urge to give your pets EXTRA if their own treats. Your pets have a really delicate digestive system. Too many treats causes tummy trouble. And in my experience, doggy trouble keeps everyone up all night.
If you take your dog with you trick-or-treating, be aware that he may react ‘out of sorts’ to all the noise and commotion of small children. Make sure you have your dog a short leash (no retractable ones please-they catch on kids’ costumes and much harder to control than a 6ft lead.) TIP: Cotton horse leads make an excellent leash of larger dogs. Tie a loop on the end you’ll have control.
Keep your pets away from candles. I know that Jack-O-lanterns look great with a candle glow inside, but place it in a safe spot, far away from nosey whiskers!
Following basic safety tips is always a good idea, but paying extra attention to your pets’ needs during Halloween ensures a good time and happy memories for everyone!
For more safety tips visit the Animal Protective Foundations Website. www.animalprotective.com
October is adopt a dog month. Do you have room for one more?
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