It is Halloween night. The kids are ready to go trick-or-treating. The candy bowl is set up for visitors. The doorbell is ringing non-stop. One might love all the festivities, but it can be overwhelming for a dog or cat. Having a game plan for them will help everything run smoothly on this scary night of fun.
The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween:
· No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms – especially dark or baking chocolate – can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
· Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but can produce upset stomachs in pets that nibble on them.
· Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of pets. If chewed, a pet might suffer cuts or burns or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
· A carved pumpkin is festive, but exercise caution if adding a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens, in particular, run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.
· Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Don’t put a dog or cat in a costume unless the pet really enjoys it. For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.
· If you do dress up a pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing or impede its ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If a pet seems distressed, allergic or shows unusual behavior, consider letting it go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.
· Take a closer look at a pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that it could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or the pet, leading to injury.
· All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room, away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
· When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that a cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.
· Always make sure dogs and cats have proper identification. If for any reason a pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that it will be returned to you.
With a little common sense and some caution, Halloween can be festive for everyone. And don’t forget to enter your pet in the News’ best Halloween costume contest. Send entries to FusaroPhotography@gmail.com.
Lori Fusaro has been voted the best portrait photographer by FoxTV three years in a row. She lives in Culver City with her husband, four cats and dog. Contact: Lori@FusaroPhotography.com, FusaroPhotography.com.
