With Halloween approaching, cats come to mind. Not just because they are symbols of the holiday, but also because this can be a dangerous time for cats and dogs.
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Tempted by Treats
Having extra candy and treats around for your family, holiday party, or trick-or-treaters can pose a danger to your pets. Chocolate in all forms, but especially the darkest chocolate, can cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal upset to seizures.
The ASPCA reminds us that, “Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar which leads to depression, lack of coordination, and seizures.”
Even holiday decorations, like pumpkins and dried corn, can give your pet an upset tummy, if they try to dine on them. And, large pieces of these items, ribbons, and wrappers that are part of the decor can be hazards for choking or intestinal blockages.
As a puppy, Poppy dressed up as a frog in a onesie! As you can see, she was very relaxed in her outfit.
Stressed Out Playing Dress Up
There are a few pets who are total hams and will love wearing a Halloween costume. For many others it can be stressful. Choose costumes with care and give your dog or cat time to adjust before the big party. If your pet shows signs of stress, consider a t-shirt or jacket style costume that leaves the head and ears free. Or, if your beast has stage fright, you wear the costume and let your dog or cat be an accessory.
Dan, from Boston Pet Sitters, has been known to dress up instead of costuming his pack.
Another ASPCA reminder concerns the design and fit of holiday finery. “Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.”
This Bulldog says, "I'm going over the hill and there's nut-in' you can do bout it!"
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Escape Artists
Trick-or-treaters in costume can frighten an otherwise well-mannered pet. If you love to dress up to answer the call of trick-or-treaters, you could scare your pet. And, when a pet is frightened, it can and will do the unexpected.
With doors opening and closing to admit partygoers or to hand out treats, there are many opportunities for a gentle homebody – let alone the veteran escape artist – to make a break for it.
Consider tucking your dog or cat away in a separate room with a favorite bed or blanket while you host Halloween visitors.
If you don’t normally keep ID on your dog or cat when they are indoors, this next week might be a good time to add that extra precaution to your Halloween safety checklist.
(Photo by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection)
Keep Cats Indoors
Horror stories of animal cruelty to cats crop up every Halloween season. There are dozens of reasons cats should be kept indoors any time of the year. City cats are in danger from other animals, poisons like antifreeze, and bait set for rodents. Wandering the streets they can be hit by cars, become trapped in odd spaces, and be exposed to diseases and parasites from feral cats.
Some of the saddest signs around the neighborhood are the ones posted for lost cats. When you see one, you look around and worry about where that tiny creature may be hiding – alone and afraid.
Poison Control
Finally, if you think your dog or cat has eaten something that may have poisoned it, call the Animal Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435. This is a 24/7 poison hotline. A fee is required to use this service, but fast action could save the life of the pet you love.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: Poppy photo ©2012 Penny Cherubino, Poison symbol from Wikipedia commons, and the historic photos are by Leslie Jones from the Boston Public Library's Leslie Jones Collection.
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