Halloween commotion can petrify your pet
10/21/2009
By Steve Dale
Tribune Media Services
Someone knocks at the front door. On the other side, you hear a strange whining sound. Slowly, you open the door and, horror of horrors, it's Bernie Madoff! Next to him is a ballerina with four legs. As you look down the sidewalk, here comes Superman and Miss Piggy! The ballerina starts barking. Then Miss Piggy turns to Madoff and shouts, "Daddy, can we go home?"
This scenario is scary enough for us. But how would a pet handle it? Some pets might look at this motley crew and run for cover. Who could blame them?
Some pets love Halloween, but the strange-looking visitors, the clamor of doorbells and knocking, new smells and general commotion can be too much for even the most social dogs and cats. With the door constantly being opened and closed for trick-or-treaters, pets can escape. It may be best to keep your dog on a leash, and put your cat in another room with the door closed on Oct. 31.
Americans spend over $3.5 billion each year on Halloween decorations treats and costumes, including outfits for pets. Costume contests for pets are common, and often raise money for charity. That's all good. Unfortunately, the pets aren't consulted. Just take out a costume and most cats are under the bed or running in the other direction.
To dress up a cat for pictures isn't too bad if the pet is willing to cooperate without much of a struggle. You can reward kitty for his patience with a few treats. As for dogs, some look totally humiliated in costume, while others relish the attention, enjoying being fussed over. For these pets, as long as they don't mind other people in costume and lots of other dogs on the route, treat-or-treating is a blast.
Tips for keeping your pets safe on Halloween:
1. Jack O'Lanterns: Aromas from lit candles can cause respiratory distress and even death in pet birds. Also, cats jumping on tables might knock over a candle or a lighted pumpkin, causing a fire.
2. Goodie Bags: While a mountain of candy isn't the best thing for kids, some of those treats can be hazardous to pets. Ingesting only a small amount of the artificial sweetener Xylitol (mostly used in sugarless gum) is dangerous. A simple box of raisins may be good for kids, but raisins are hazardous to dogs. Dogs who enjoy candy seldom stop after a few pieces, and too much candy -- and candy wrappers, which may also be scarfed down -- can trigger an upset tummy. Chocolate is toxic for dogs and cats (particularly dark chocolate). Keep candy in a secure place, away from Fido.
3. Buy Pet Friendly Decorations: Last year, a reader wrote about a mummy decoration his cat unraveled and swallowed. The pet was rushed into emergency surgery for an obstruction. Luckily, he survived, but that was sure was one expensive Halloween!
4. It's Too Scary Outside: While cats should generally be kept indoors anyway, on Halloween it's essential. Dogs should not be left unsupervised in the yard on Halloween. Even if the constant parade of wildly-dressed visitors doesn't set off anxious barking, what if one of them leaves a gate open, or feeds the dog a chocolate bar?
Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207 or send an e-mail. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend
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