Paws for Tricks & Treats
Happy Halloween, that time of year when all the leaves are changing color and have begun to fall to the ground. We hear the movement along our paths as they fall around us. Halloween is a time to play dress up and visit homes to say “Trick or Treat”. A time to fill our homes with treats to give away or place around our homes to sneak in a goodie. A time to welcome fall and all this season has to offer.
As we begin to prepare for October 31st, there are many things to consider. The door bell rings, keeping in mind our pets may be on high alert to protect their domain. Are we prepared to ensure that they do not charge after those who await you answering? A costume to us can sometimes frighten us, are we certain that our pets won’t be frightened as well to the unknown? Most importantly, the door is open, we are distracted, has our pet escaped while we are welcoming the presence of our “Trick or Treat” new friends?
A QUICK TIP: Make sure your pets have identification (microchip, collar, and ID tag) that will make it easy for someone to contact you and return them home in case they escape through an open door while you're distracted with trick-or-treaters. Keep lit candles, jack-o-lanterns, and other Halloween decorations out of reach of pets. While we love to spread the new scents of fall, our pets may be leaping towards a lit candle.
Some pets love the energy of Halloween, they enjoy the outdoors and welcome the time spent with family. Your family may find themselves so excited when they tag along to see all the fun and laughter. Are we considering what may have fallen towards the ground during a peek for a quick piece of candy? To our four legged friends, adventures with hidden treasures along the way is their best fun. We must also pay close attention to their surroundings, are other pets along the way? Are we approaching a home where there may be an unwelcoming animal?
A dog’s natural instinct is to protect their home or to alert you that a stranger has arrived
Our pets typically prefer a quiet environment with their family. Trick-or-treaters continually knocking on the door or ringing the bell can be very stressful to both dogs and cats. Here are some tips to ease the stress.
Put your pets in a quiet room where they will be safe from all the Halloween activity
If your pet is likely to try to run out the front door and is comfortable in a crate, consider putting them in the crate with a treat-filled toy and some soft music playing in the background
Minimize noise by sitting outside to keep trick-or-treaters from knocking on the door or ringing the bell
Masks and costumes change how people look and smell to a pet, so even familiar people may become frightening, if you are just having friends over for a Halloween party, keep your pets away from the festivities in their safe room
If you do choose a costume for your pet, consider your pet’s personality and what type of costume they may tolerate and for how long. Masks and hats that fit around the face, for example, may be OK for the length of time it takes to snap a quick pic, but they can pose dangers and make your pet feel uncomfortable. Best to keep pet costumes minimal.
Keep an eye on your costumed pet to make sure the costume is comfortable and allows your pet to move freely. Also be sure to remove any chewable parts or objects that could come off and choke your pet.
If your pet appears uncomfortable, take off the costume. Signs of discomfort include folded down ears, eyes rolling back or looking sideways, a tucked tail or hunching over.
Halloween Candy, although a treat for you and your family can lead to a hazard to our pets.
Pre-Halloween and during trick-or-treating, keep candy safely stashed in a high cabinet secured with a lock or child-safety latch. The Humane Society offers a list of the mentioned hazards: Many foods, such as chocolate, gum and xylitol (a sweetener used in many foods) are hazardous to pets. Please watch your children. Making their friends happy is ofter their pride and joy. They may make the mistake of sharing treats. Make sure they know the difference between a treat for them and a treat for their four-legged friends. *** If you suspect your pet has eaten something that's bad for them, call your veterinarian immediately.
Below you will find a quick reminder of some common issue during this upcoming Halloween
Now that we have brought some thoughts up, let’s all enjoy this upcoming Halloween safely. Being a time to dress up and celebrate candy, should equal fun and laughter for all involved. Our pets are part of our family and it is our most important job to stay educated and armed with tips to do so.
Here at Companion Animal Veterinarian Services, INC our team would like to wish you and your family a happy fall and safe Halloween.
Destino
Blog written: Doreen Levers