Keep Halloween from being a horror for your pet
| • | Safer holiday can still be a treat |
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Associated Press
Halloween is a fun time for young and old alike, but it can be a stressful holiday for pets. Here are a few tips to make it a happy Halloween for pets.
Your favorite animal may require protection from the holiday's hazards: candy (some makes dogs sick), spooky strangers and errant adolescent tricksters.
• Halloween fun means sweet treats for people, but don't feed candy to animals. Chocolate can be fatal to dogs and cats — no joke. Pets should be fed only pet treats.
• Trick-or-treat time means the front door is opening and closing frequently. Make sure your canine and feline companions are wearing IDs, collars and/or microchip ID in case they accidentally slip out the door.
• Consider keeping your pet at home in a separate room away from trick-or-treating children. Remember that strangers and scary costumes really can be frightening for pets.
• If you dress up your pet, make the costume as safe as it is silly. Keep it comfortable so the animal doesn't get overheated and don't obstruct his vision or movement. Beware of binding elastic and dangling things that are easy to swallow. If your pet will walk door to door with you, add a reflective collar or light-reflecting fabric to the costume. And don't forget to use a leash.
