Autumn Bliss
The gifts of autumn are upon us, from the crisp, cool air to the breathtaking browning foliage. Many across the country, us included, are eager to see what this year’s Halloween will be like. But while the excitement grows with each passing day, it’s important to remember that this eventful time of the month can be stressful for pets. Taking precautions to keep these balls of fluff safe and healthy is essential.
The Treats and the Costumes
Halloween usually centers around a few vital things. Top among these are the treats and costumes. But how can these possibly harm your pet? To start with the former, several of the most popular snack brands, especially ones containing xylitol, are toxic to cats and dogs. Most pet parents know how inquisitive pets can be when they see a treat. They will sniff out anything you stash away unless you keep said treats in places they can’t access. Be sure to keep treats out of reach, especially if they can cause harm to your lovely fur babies!
Regarding costumes, pets can easily be spooked when encountering strangers in odd get-ups. Consider keeping all but the most social cats and dogs separate from areas where your guests will frequent.
Playing Dress-Up
As stated, Halloween is all about the costumes, which can be enjoyed by our pets as well. Who wouldn’t want a cat dressed up as Batman or their dog running around the living room as Dr. Who? But while playing dress-up with your pet might sound like just the thing to do, you should consider the duress the costume might cause.
You might want to see if your dog actually likes the Dr. Who costume before drawing it on them. Ensure the costume won’t limit their movement or ability to bark or breathe. Also, ensure the costume doesn’t have dangly parts the pet can chew on, as that might result in a choking hazard.
A Night of Many Activities
With Halloween night usually being busy, it comes as no surprise that your neighborhood will be filled with all kinds of people. More often than not, your door will rarely be closed or will see the most activity in the last few months. This means that your pet might find themselves outside the house without your knowlegde. With all the activities and costumes, your pet might be spooked into bolting away even farther away.
We recommend pet IDs that will surely help in finding a lost pet or two. Regular tags work just well enough. But this is Halloween. Consider spicing things up with a theme! The only thing that will make Broo-ce Wayne pop out even more is a ‘bat tag’ dangling on his neck, with all the information about him and his parents on the back. You can also try a reflective collar if you take your pet out trick or treating through the night.
