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Keep Pets From Going Batty On Halloween

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2008

Strangers at the door. In costume. Doing tricks. Getting treats.

Halloween can be a scary night for pets. Here are some tips from the Humane Society of the United States to make the evening go better:

Keep pets safely inside, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities.

Cats, black ones in particular, often fall victim to pranksters. Keep cats safely indoors.

Make certain that all pets are wearing collars with ID tags. As the door opens for trick-or-treaters, pets have the perfect opportunity for escape, despite an owner's best efforts.

Keep candy out of your pet's reach. Candy can be harmful to pets and chocolate is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets.

Decorations should be kept away from pets. Candle flames can potentially set fire to a pet's fur. Dangling decorations should be kept in high places to avoid pet entanglement, choking and other potentially life-threatening hazards.

The only costume most pets want to wear is their own furry birthday suit. Costumes and masks can increase their risk of injury by causing them to feel confined and restricting movement.

If you go out trick-or-treating, leave the family dog at home. Don't try to combine the dog's walk with your activities. Dogs can be difficult to control in all the commotion. A lost pet or dog bite will quickly end your Halloween fun.

Use fake cobwebs sparingly outdoors on your trees and shrubs. They may adversely affect pets and wildlife. Small birds are especially vulnerable and can easily become entangled in the webbing.

Wild animals should be avoided to keep everyone safe. Nocturnal critters such as raccoons, opossums and foxes wake up and venture out for food, and Halloween night is no exception. The best advice is to keep a safe distance between you and any animal you do not know, including cats and dogs.

Bats, a wild neighbor with a bad rap and a classic Halloween staple are, in reality, both interesting and beneficial creatures. Ironically, most bats, especially those in colder climates, have already found a nice cool, dark place to hibernate for the winter by Halloween night.

A staff report

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