For many of us, Halloween can be a ghostly good time. Candy, costumes and frights in the night can be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, our pets don’t necessarily agree. For many of them it can be a very stressful night that causes anxiety.

• Make sure your pets have on identification at all times. With that front door continuously opening and closing for trick-or-treaters, there is a chance they could run out – especially if they’re spooked. A spooked pet is one that is not easy to control and unpredictable – they could hurt someone or become hurt themselves – something sure to ruin your Halloween fun.
• Give your pets a quiet, safe place to hang out on Halloween. Noisy parties, constant doorbell ringing or too many scary strangers in your home can be stressful to your four-legged friends and could even make them physically ill.
• Always try to keep Halloween candy, wrappers and decorations out of your pets’ reach. Chocolate and sugarless gum can be highly toxic to animals, and tin foil, cellophane, plastic candy wrappers, lollipop sticks and party supplies can be extremely hazardous if swallowed.
• Keep lighted pumpkins out of your pet’s reach. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens especially run the risk of being burned.
• Keep all electrical chords and wires out of your pets’ reach. Halloween decorations are a great way to celebrate the holiday but can be harmful and even deadly to your pets should they chew on or ingest them. That awesome orange and black pumpkin garland looks really cool hanging over the doorway. On an x-ray film, probably not so much.
• Unfortunately, there can be tricks in addition to treats on Halloween. Keep your pets indoors so that they will not be the target of pranksters who might tease, injure, steal and even seriously harm pets on Halloween.
• Costumes are fun for people, but not necessarily for your pets. Don’t dress up your pet unless you know they enjoy it. Make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe, and doesn’t restrict your pet’s movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that the pet could chew off and possibly choke on. Make sure that costumed pets are supervised at all times.
• It’s never a good idea to take your pet trick-or-treating. Dogs may become excited and uncontrollable, and if frightened may bite. For their protection, cats should be kept indoors at all times. Cats generally don’t make good door greeters anyway, and the ghosties and goblins who’ll be visiting your house on Halloween probably aren’t who your cat has in mind for making new friends.

Don’t forget your pets this Halloween – keep them safe and happy while you enjoy this spooktacular holiday!

Article Credit: North Shore Animal League

Photo Credit:  Google Images

Now that October is here, we all know that Halloween is just round the corner. These few weeks before Halloween will be spent creating costumes and decorations, and preparing for Trick-or-Treat.

Halloween is a great time for lots of family fun! However, celebrating a safe Halloween is also an important part of the celebration. This means we should be spending some time planning for the event too.  Special attention should be paid to making Halloween costumes. You want to be sure that the costumes are bright and reflective so that drivers can easily spot Trick-or-Treaters.  Note that the costumes are not so loose or ill-fitted that the kids can trip on them as they scream through the streets.

Another important aspect is the makeup. While many parents prefer to give their children masks to wear, it is advisable to use non-toxic makeup instead. Masks can hinder vision or cause breathing problems. All costumes and wigs should be fire-resistant. Also, all costumes need accessories. Make sure they are soft and pliable. Care should be especially taken for accessories like swords, knives, guns and sticks. You do not want a potential weapon in your child’s hand, nor do you want your children to injure or maim themselves or each other with their accessories.

Another important thing to consider is the decorations.  Who doesn’t like to decorate the front yard for Halloween with eerie monsters, coffins, goblins, and superheroes?  Make sure your yard is clear of garden hoses and sticks, bicycles and toys, anything that could be tripped over in the dark.

And of course, any Halloween Night celebration is incomplete without going out to Trick-or-Treat! Chart out a route for the children to take and make sure an adult or older sibling accompanies them. Carry a flashlight so that you are prepared in case one of the children accidentally wanders off.  If the children are not accompanied by an adult (hopefully they’ll be in a group), make sure they have their own flashlights and educate them not to enter into people’s homes or vehicles. If at all possible do not send the children out on their own.  Older siblings might not be overly enthusiastic about this task, but you’ll feel better knowing the kids are all together looking out for one another. Follow all these simple and easy tips this Halloween and have a safe and laughter-filled night!