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Oct 30, 2009 11:16 am US/Eastern
Halloween Doesn't Have To Be Scary For Your Pets
The Best Place For Pets Is A Safe, Quiet Spot Away From All The Activity
jm
(CBS4)
Halloween can be a scary time for your pets, just think about it. Strange sounds and sights, a constant stream of trick or treaters knocking at your door, and all the commotion that goes along with Halloween.
There are, however, some things you can do to help Fido and Fluffy through the night. According to the The Humane Society of the United States the best place for pets is a safe, quiet spot out of the way of the activities and continually opened front door.
"As creatures of habit, pets thrive on daily routines and some can become very agitated when those routines are disrupted," said Humane Society's Stephanie Shain. "For their comfort and safety, the most considerate thing you can do is keep them away from the evening's activities."
The Humane Society also suggests that you:
*Keep pets indoors away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities,
*Hide the candy stash; it can be harmful to pets.
Chocolate is deadly for dogs and cats.
*Keep your pets in their own furry birthday suits. Some animals don't mind at all but others do not want to be bothered with this kind of thing. They'll be under enough stress with the festivities going on outside and people at the door constantly so don't cause them any more nervousness then you have to. You may love to dress in costume but then, you aren't a dog or a cat.
*Be sure all pets (including indoor only cats) are wearing collars with ID tags should they escape despite your best attempts.
Some other things to consider when you're decorating your home or getting ready for a gaggle of ghosts and goblins to come knocking on your door.
*Lighted candles pose an obvious threat, but other Halloween decorations are no treats for your pet. Dogs can have lethal tails, wagging all over the place. Don't leave any lighted candles or Jack-O-Lanterns where they could be knocked over by a swinging tail or by a curious cat. Not only could your pet start a fire but they could severely burn themselves in the process.
*Use fake cobwebs sparingly. Indoors they can pose a real threat to pets, cats especially, who may ingest them. Outdoors they may adversely affect wildlife, with small birds being especially vulnerable to becoming entangled in the webbing.
*Immediately remove any decorations an animal could get their head into such as plastic pumpkins or skulls.
*Keep floors clear of items that may end up as your pet's new chew toy and a choking hazard.
*Hang dangling decorations up high to avoid entanglement and other hazards.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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