Oct 31, 2017

Halloween Pet Safety Tips

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story. Everyone is 
a moon and has a dark side, which he never shows to anybody...

Halloween is part of American Tradition.  It's a time of the year not only kids, 
but adults also look forward to as well. For kids it's that day when they are allowed to 
"collect" as much candy as they can and also eat as many as possible. 

Many adults have derived as much fun out of Halloween as do kids. 
 Now with all the extravagant parties and costumes Halloween has become 
one of the "Holidays" I have enjoyed it at times because of the costumes. 



 Every year it seems to get more and more extravagant and bizarre.  Makes for
 a sometimes interesting night, unfortunately at times people go overboard and 
what is supposed to be a "fun" time sometimes becomes a night to fear.

Having a pet in our lives means that there are some extra precautions we
 take as should all pet owners.  That's why when I read this article about 
pet saftey tips for halloween I thought it was good to share.

Halloween is a fantastic time of the year – but the costumes, candy, and parties
 we love can turn into horror movies for our furry friends, but fear not. Here 
is a list of safety tips will keep you and your pet safe until All Saints Day.


Dress up for success (or not at all). A pet costume can seem like a fantastic
 (and cute!) idea…to humans. Your pet might feel differently! Give costumes a test
 run before Halloween to see how your dog or cat reacts;if he's unhappy 
or afraid, consider a lower-key ghost-themed bandanna or collar
 instead, or skip it altogether.  I used to like to dress Brutus up 
in costumes for every holiday.  He was used to it.  Not his
 favorite thing in the world, but he let me.  I miss Brutus.

Your pet may love dressing up, but make sure his outfit is safe and comfortable,
 and made from a non-flammable material. Costumes should allow him 
to see, hear, and breathe normally; avoid attire that covers his eyes
 and ears, and if his bark (or meow) sounds muffled, loosen or
 rethink the costume. Remove parts that he could chew or choke on 
(drawstrings, loose sequins, et cetera), and ensure that there's 
nothing hanging off the costume that could snag on stuff.

Go with the natural look. Make-up or face paint is a bad idea – it can irritate 
a pet's skin, and worse, it can get licked off and cause digestive distress.
 (Plus, it's more likely to get all over you and your furniture than
 to stay on your pet!) Even non-toxic make-up isn't worth the risk.


Stick to safe snacks. Most pet owners know that chocolate in any form,
  and particularly baker's or dark chocolate – is a big no-no for dogs. 
It's harmful to cats as well, and if your pet wolfs down a whole 
wrapped candy, it could cause a blockage. Keep all candy in a safe place,
 and let your pets celebrate with doggy snacks or cat treats instead.

Decorate with care. Keep edible décor like pumpkins and candy corn out
 of reach of curious paws and jaws. Inedible décor is still prime
pouncing material for cats, though; hang the fake cobwebs and
 black-and-orange tinsel as high as you can manage.


Candles add spooky ambiance – but they can also get knocked over by
 enthusiastic tails (or set those tails ablaze). Switch to battery
operated versions instead; your local hardware store should 
have a selection of kitten-safe non-flame options.

Skip trick-or-treating. Your dog could get spooked by a costume
 (his or others'), new and unfamiliar people in the neighborhood, or going 
to strange houses. If you simply must show off her ladybug outfit, 
keep the outing short, and stick to the sidewalk. Better yet,
 take photos instead and let your pet stay home.

And bring outdoor pets inside for Halloween night. Extra traffic, 
candy dropped on the ground, trick-or-treaters teasing or chasing them,
– all these things can harm or freak out your pet (and a barking dog could 
scare people away from your front door). Invite them in for the evening.


Prepare for parties. Whether you're planning a Halloween party or just 
expecting lots of trick-or-treaters, a little pet-proofing prep can 
make the experience less stressful for the whole family.

Check the cages of smaller friends like gerbils and birds to make sure latches 
are secure; remove their habitats from common areas (i.e., your front hall).

Indoor-only pets like cats and small dogs should spend the evening behind 
closed doors – a back bedroom or storage area you make comfy with
 an old sweatshirt to nap on, and/or a new toy to play with. Identify and
 close off escape routes; post a sign on the door, and lock it if you can.


Larger, more social animals should be leashed. Some children have no 
experience with dogs, and can get scared even by a friendly canine overture.
 If your dog tends to jump or bark when she gets excited, consider
crating her for the party, or installing a dog gate.

Let guests know they shouldn't feed your pets;
 a small sign on the snack table should do it.

With all of these tips your at your disposal, there is no way everyone
 can't have a safe and happy Halloween....so let's go trick or
 treating, have a great time and always remember safety first...
It's Halloween, every one's entitled to one good scare...


This is our first Halloween here in Branson.
 Our second without Brutus and Shadow.

Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night..

~Nadiya~