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Pet Safety Tips
The nights are getting chilly, the leaves are falling, the kids are back to school, and it'll soon be Halloween. What a great time of year! Animal Aid would like to help you enjoy fall with your pet.
First of all, if you have school-age children, don't be impatient if your dog or cat seems to be demanding more attention from you these days. He or she got used to having the entire "pack" at home during the summer vacation, and may be lonely for "his" or "her" children. Give the pet an extra ear scratch or tummy rub every once in a while, or just talk to him or her as you go about your daily routine! Also, keep him/her in the house when the kids leave for school so that he/she isn't tempted to follow children or buses.
Speaking of Halloween--Animal Aid will not be adopting out animals between 25 - 31 October. Also, if you share your home with all-black, all-white, or mixed black and white dogs and cats: keep a close eye on your pets, as there is a disturbingly high incidence of animals of these colors disappearing around Halloween. Please, PLEASE do NOT give pets of these colors away "Free to Good Home" , particularly at this time of year! Believe it or not, there are some crazy people out there who will "sacrifice" black, white, or black and white animals in their All Hallows Eve "ceremonies!"
No doubt about it, Halloween can be a scary time for pets. As much as you and your children want to include them in your own celebrations, remember that pets really don't understand what's going on around them. Look at Halloween from a pet's point of view:
- There are some very sudden changes in the normally well-ordered household--maybe strangely-pitched music, weird noises, odd clothing, an alteration in schedules, and lots of excitement.
- For humans, scary is good at Halloween. But does your dog realize the difference between "good" scary and "threatening" scary? He may try to protect you from those unusual sounds and noisy, costumed strangers banging at your door.
- Wow, that front door is opening and closing a lot. Even if your pet doesn't view Trick or Treaters as dangerous invaders in his domain, he may decide he wants to go home with one of them--or, just run out and play with the entire group!
- All right, so your dog or cat isn't afraid of these costumed strangers. However, many children ARE afraid of dogs or cats, and meeting one of these dreaded creatures at a door where they expect only candy can be traumatic.
- And look at all that candy! You're probably munching down yourself as you hand it out to Trick or Treaters, and your pet will be looking up at you with those great, big, loving eyes. Resist. Give him a dog biscuit or cat treat instead, and remind your children not to share their own bounty. Sugar isn't good for dogs, and chocolate can be toxic.
- That full bag of Junior's sitting on the floor or the edge of the counter can be mighty tempting. You-know-who is going to want to check it out thoroughly, and will steal goodies if he can. Put the treats away where your pet can't get himself into trouble!
- You found a great pet costume, and Fido or Puss really loves being dressed up, or adds just the right touch to your child's costume? OK, if he has to go along Trick or Treating, it's best to keep the pet on a short leash, away from other animals or children that he doesn't know. (If Fido or Puss HATES being dressed up--don't force the issue just because you think it's cute.)
- Be sure that the pet can walk, see, and pant in his costume (not to mention, being able to respond to the calls of nature), and put reflective tape on both his costume and your child's. Do a "dress rehersal" to assure yourself that your child can successfully juggle the animal's leash, his own treat bag and costume, and interacting with his friends.
- And if that cute pet costume fastens with rubber bands, be absolutely certain that those rubber bands are all removed. If mistakenly left on the pet, rubber bands quickly burrow into the animal's skin.
Quite frankly, when it's Trick or Treat time, most pets prefer a quiet room and a favorite toy. But, if you want your pet to be an active participant in the festivities, your knowledge of possible dangers, and a little common sense, can assure a safe, fun Halloween for everyone!
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