Ok, I have to admit, I have not considered all of these 10 tips, but I usually lived somewhere that did not receive trick-or-treaters, or at least not very many.
If you have pets, please take the time to look over the following tips and visit the associated website. Thank you!
Number 1: DO ensure your dog's Halloween costume is pet-friendly.If your pet isn't costume-averse (many dogs and most cats are), just make sure whatever you put on him is:
- Lightweight to avoid overheating
- Doesn't confine or restrain his movements in any way
- Is free of any adornments he might be tempted to chew off and swallow
Number 2: DON'T force an unwilling pet into a Halloween costume.
Some pets don't mind clothing or other holiday accessories, but many do. If your pet is frightened or annoyed by the puppy princess gown or the Darth Vader dog cape, be a pal and don't force the issue. Let your pet enjoy the holiday, too.
Number 3: DO closely monitor your pet for signs of anxiety or stress on Halloween.
Many dogs and most cats find a constantly ringing doorbell, random shouts of "Trick or Treat!" and people dressed up in weird costumes to be anxiety-producing. Even if your pet seems excited by all the noise and activity, excitement is a form of stress, especially for dogs and cats.
Know when it's time to remove your pet from the action and tuck her away in a safe, quiet spot in your home.
Number 4: DON'T allow your dog or cat (especially black cats) outdoors unsupervised on Halloween.
If your neighborhood tends to be full of trick-or-treaters and fun gatherings on Halloween, it's a good idea to make sure your pet can't escape through an open door or window, either to investigate all the commotion, or to escape it.
Kitties should probably be closed off in a bedroom or other safe area of the house for the night, and dogs should always be on a leash for trips outside.
Number 5: DO keep all Halloween candy away from your pet.
Cats don't like sweet flavors, so you don't need to be overly concerned that Fluffy might dive into the Halloween candy.Dogs are another story. Most pet owners are aware of the dangers of chocolate for dogs. But there are other types of sweets that also pose health risks for canine companions, so a good rule of thumb is to keep ALL Halloween candy and treats like raisins, trail mix and grapes out of the reach of pets.
Number 6: DON'T leave candy wrappers where your pet can find them.
Halloween candy isn't the only health threat for pets. Believe it or not, ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers can cause life-threatening bowel obstructions, which often require surgical intervention.
Number 7: DO place candles — including those inside Jack-o-lanterns — out of reach of your pet.
Beware all potential Halloween fire hazards. A frightened cat escaping across a table decorated with lit candles, or an excited dog crashing into a carved pumpkin can spell disaster.
Number 8: DON'T tempt your pet with glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark jewelry.
Glow sticks and jewelry have become very popular, and pets — especially cats — have been known to gnaw on them. The substance that creates the glow is phenol, which can leak out and burn your pet's fur and tongue. Choking on small pieces is another concern.
Number 9: DO set up a safe spot in your home for your pet before Halloween festivities begin.
It's a good idea to have a quiet, safe spot ready and waiting for an overly excited dog or frightened kitty. Make sure there's comfy bedding, a litter box if your pet is a cat, a few toys, and some "white noise" in the form of a radio or TV playing in the background.
Depending on the situation and your pet, you might want to put her in there at the beginning of the evening, or simply keep the spot handy in case you need it later.
Number 10: DON'T forget to make sure your pet is wearing an up-to-date collar or ID tag.
Even with the best intentions and planning, occasionally pets escape into the night on Halloween. So make sure yours is wearing current identification, and if your pet is microchipped, insure your information is current in the chip maker's database.
I've listed all 10 here, but in respect to HealthyPets.Mercola.com, please visit them to see the wealth of other helpful tips they have for your pet. Thank you!
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REMINDER!
Halloween Warning to Dog Owners - Dogs can be irresistibly attracted to the sweet flavors of Halloween candy. However, it's not the candy you need to worry about. It's those easy-to-swallow yet impossible-to-digest candy wrappers that can pose the greatest risk to your dog. Swallowed plastic or foil wrappers can create a life threatening obstruction inside your dog's digestive tract. So, don't forget to keep Halloween candies and their wrappers safely away from your pet. And be sure to share this important warning with other dog owners, too. Courtesy of Dog Food Advisor.
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It's only fair.
My personal suggestions and opinions are usually in this green italic type - so you will know when it is my own wording/opinion given.
I hope this information has been of some help to you. As always, if you would like to add a thought, question, give suggestions for another topic, or make a general suggestion, please post a comment below. Also, please follow / subscribe to this blog. Thank you!
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