Countdown to Halloween Pet Safety #1

Death by Chocolate--and other lurking pet-poisons

What hazards lurk in the treat basket?

One of the biggest hazards to your pet at Halloween is the treat basket by the door. Chocolate is a major no-no (causes heart and nervous system damage), the artificial sweetener Xylitol is poison to your pet (liver failure hazard), and even that "healthy" box of raisins could cause kidney failure.

Here are the top "Dog DON'Ts"

Cat "DOs" and "DON'Ts"

Keep the human treats for the human trick-or-treaters. Fix your own, or invest in some pet-appropriate treats for you beloved furry companions. 

More appropriate dog treats--recipes available from Cesar's Way.

Petfinder offers recipes for both cats and dogs.

And HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

IMAGES: the spilled bucket of Halloween treats photo is from Fabulously Frugal. Many thanks also to Animal General for the great poster of foods that are dangerous for dogs, and to Kara's Critter Care, for the handy "Cat DOs and DON'Ts" chart. Thanks to Cesar's Way for the photo of the bowl of dog treats (along with some homemade treat recipes to try), and to Petfinder for the image of treats for both dogs and cats (plus more recipes).

Countdown to Halloween Pet Safety #3

Dressed for Terror?
Who isn't a sucker for a creative pet costume? I mean, seriously. If it's fun for people to dress themselves up as whatever their imaginations can devise, it's just as much fun for many of them, to dress up their pets.

I think the verdict is still out for this Italian Greyhound. I know mine would freak out.

Fun for them, not necessarily for their pets. If your pet is a ham at heart--and plenty of them are--then you might want to try some of the ideas in the photos I've been unable to resist, below. But keep scrolling--because not all pets are into this whole "costume" thing.

This "Fluffy" seems to be taking things in stride.

And I'd swear some of these ghost-dogs are smiling.

Nor does this terrier seem particularly terrorized.

Other pets, however, may not be so sanguine about dressing up. Pay attention to their reactions and body language. The cutest idea in the world won't be cute at all, if it turns your loving companion into a freaked-out basket case.

I'm less than sure the E-collar martini-dog is happy about this particular happy hour.

According to the ASPCA, "If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana."

While this Chia-Pet Frenchie is being a good sport, that look says, "Mom, can I take it off now?"

Is there an unwritten law that IGs get afflicted with more costumes? I'm not sure Sniffer is thrilled.

I couldn't find as many costumed cats as dogs (big surprise), but while we're on a Tootsie-Roll theme . . .

Another thing to consider is the choking hazard that may be posed by some costumes. The ASPCA advises, "make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury." 

After all, it's no treat if your pet feels he's been trapped in a cruel trick, or if she is injured by an ill-conceived costume. Let's keep Halloween fun and safe for all!

IMAGES: many thanks to Funny Image Collection, for the “Tootsie Roll Pup,” “Fluffy and Harry,” and “Ghost Dog Lineup” photos, and to Romp Rescue for the "Star Wars At-At," "Terrier Package," "Martini E-Collar" and "Chia Pet" photos. The "Tootsie-Roll Cats" photo is from the IGN "Kitties" thread.

Countdown to Halloween Pet Safety #4

Fireproof?
Nearly every creative person I know loves to decorate for Halloween, and one of the most popular decorations is a carved Jack-o-Lantern. Even if we aren't sculptors most of the time, there's something about pumpkin-carving that can stimulate creative juices.

A friend of mine used to have a pumpkin-carving party every year--but it wasn't this big! Wow!

For many of us, there's nothing better than a genuine, burning candle to make old Jack glow at his spookiest, whether he's channeling Batman, lighting up a mini-pumpkin, or otherwise haunting the premises.

But pet-owners, beware! Especially if you own cats (black or other colors).

According to the ASPCA, curious kittens are at particular risk of "getting burned or singed by candle flames," or knocking over pumpkins and starting fires.

We also know how the "cat-in-box" syndrome might sometimes become cat-in-pumpkin, with a potential for things to get knocked off, or for cat-and-all to fall from a table or porch railing to a hard surface below.

In the name of kittens everywhere, please decorate with care, and keep an eye on fierce baby paws!

Yes, I am shamelessly exploiting this opportunity to post cute kitten pictures.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Nassau Happening, for the photo of all the lighted Jack-o-lanterns in a big group. The candles-in-pumpkins images are from Movie Chronicles (Batman) and Instructables (mini-pumpkin). The kittens in the pumpkins are from IGN's "Kitties" thread (single kitten) and Pixdaus (two kittens). Finally, the totally gratuitous "Deadly Predators" fierce kittens pic is from W Files Subreddit.

Countdown to Halloween Pet Safety #5

Wired for Safety?
Decorating for Halloween! Many of my creative friends love this time of year. The decorations can be so colorful, so fanciful, so atmospheric!

Paper Jack-o-Lantern lights for a spooky lighting effect.

I think every year there are more fun lighting options available. For just a little bit of money, you can string up spooky Jack-o-Lanterns, skulls, or other colorful glow-in-the-dark decorations, both indoors and outside.

DIY "eyeball" lights.

But as fun as the lights may be, it pays to remember all the members of your family and household. New kitten? New puppy? Pet gerbils or bunnies? Strings of lights and electrical cords can be too much temptation for some!

Bunny was here! Ouch!

Spooky can be fun! But all the fun goes away if the decorations turn deadly. 

Please take wise precautions!

For the ASPCA's list of Halloween pet safety tips, please see their Halloween Safety page. Please check some of the hyperlinks given in the image credits for other excellent resources:

IMAGES: the photo of the paper Jack-o-Lanterns is from Ideal Home & Garden's Holiday Decorations page. The DIY string of "eyeball" lights is from Landeelu--see the page for full DIY instructions. Many thanks to Canidae for the lolcats-style Corgi (check the page for techniques to keep pets from chewing power cords), to Way of Cats for the "chewin' wires" pic (see that page for kitty-safety tips), and to Bunnyproof for the image of the rabbit-chewed power cord (and ways to keep pet rabbits safe).