by Dean Vickers
Special Service Announcement from BTL
Note:
If you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
As we head full force into another Halloween season, as pet owners or caretakers, it is important that we pay special attention to our companions to ensure that they also enjoy the festivities surrounding All Hollow's Eve. A little pre-planning combined with a little common sense will go a long way in keeping your pets safe and their stress levels at a minimum.
Although many cities currently have anti-panhandling ordinances, Halloween is the one time of year when it is allowed – provided you are in costume and you are seeking to collect candy from strangers. Keep a close eye not only on the candy you are distributing but also the candy that is coming into your home. Obviously only accept candy from people you trust and never eat anything that is not in a wrapper, but for your pets, candy can be deadly. Chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, and candy wrappers, particularly foil and cellophane can be hazardous if swallowed.
The most traditional of Halloween decorations is the Jack O Lantern. Nothing conjures up the spirit of the season quite like the yellow glow emanating from inside the hollowed out gourd. Although relatively non-toxic to pets, eating pumpkins can upset the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are ingested. So as you lobotomize your pumpkin, be cognoscente of where his insides land. Festive or frightening as the end result may be, be careful where you display your masterpiece, especially if you are using a candle as your source of light. Pets can easily knock over a lit jack o lantern and cause a fire. Curious kittens or puppies run a greater risk of getting burned or singed by the candle flames.
As an alternative to a light candle, using electric lights is a better alternative to bring life to your jack o lantern. But even here, keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of your pets reach. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
Although I have certainly done my share of dressing up my pets for the Halloween festivities: Ike and Tina Turner, Elvis and Jimi Hendrix, I would also caution you when doing so. Not every pet enjoys donning a costume, no matter how adorable you think they look. Forcing them to wear something they are not comfortable in, may cause undo stress.
If you and your pet agree that a costume is in order, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict your pet's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe or bark. Keep a look out for small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that your pet could choke on. Also make sure the costume does not obstruct your pet's vision in any way. The chance of fear biting will increase if your pet can not see well.
It is also a good idea to keep all but the most social dogs and cats in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Constant knocks and doorbell, followed by the joyous shrieking of "Trick or Treat!" can be very stressful on pets, as well as their caregivers. It could cause your pet to panic or display other uncharacteristic behaviors. In addition, repeatedly opening and closing the door could allow your pet to dart outside, possibly undetected amid all the commotion.
Above all, make certain that your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.
As a final note to keep the our wildlife neighbors safe, use fake cobwebs sparingly as smaller animals, particularly birds could become entangled in the webbing. Remove any decorations an animal could get their head into; such as plastic pumpkins or skulls. These are attractive to wildlife such as deer or raccoons who may think there is food inside and end up stuck on their heads endangering their lives. Nocturnal animal such as raccoons, opossums and foxes venture out for food at night and Halloween night is no exception. Remember that wild animals are just that – wild – so never approach one.
Have fun and have a festive and happy Halloween.
