Published: October 24, 2009 01:24 pm      

Pets and Halloween

Next week is Halloween. It’s a great holiday for kids, but it can be hard on pets if you don’t take some precautions. Think safety. Keep your pet safely indoors, away from noisy groups of small ghouls and goblins and away from the door where it can accidentally escape as you open the door for trick-or-treaters. If you are the one doing the trick or treating, it’s best to leave your pet home. All the extra kids, parents, and even vehicles can cause a safety issue if you have your pet on a leash. Kids love animals and always have a tendency to want to run up and pet them. If your pal isn’t used to being around children, it may feel uneasy and growl or snap at the child. Halloween is supposed to be a fun time, so let’s leave the pets at home.

Do you know that pet costumes are the latest Halloween craze? Can you resist dressing up your pet in those cute little hats and witches capes? I’ve seen some doggy costumes that are really cute, but be careful if you dress up your pal. Make sure your pet can move freely and won’t stumble over the costume if it drags on the floor. The costume should not be something that is tied around the neck. You wouldn’t want your pal to choke or strangle if you have it tied around his neck and it gets caught on something.

When the porch lights go out and all the witches and goblins go home be sure you’re your pet doesn’t get into the candy bucket. Candy can make a pet sick or may be lethal.

Chocolate contains a stimulant called Theobromine, which can make both dogs and cats very sick. If too much is eaten, it could even cause death. Dog treats and catnip toys work best and your pal will be very content if you share these types of treats instead of candy.

The best way to show your dog that you love him is to think safety, just as you would your child. Make sure he gets his shots and you use flea, tick, and heartworm prevention every month. In this part of the country, it doesn’t get cold enough to kill the fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes so it’s important to add these meds to your monthly regimen. And most importantly, put a nametag and phone number on its collar so you can be found if your pet gets away. Microchips are also available, so talk to your veterinarian about having it done.

October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog” month; so if you are looking for a special addition to your family, stop by the Pittsburg County Animal Shelter at 1206 N. West Street. The phone number is 423-7803