Jack-o-lanterns, costumes, parties, trick or treating with door bells ringing throughout the neighborhood. Kids and parents alike will be dressing up for the night of all things scary and spooking and even a little devilish.
Not only will kids and adults be in costume but pet parents will be putting a costume on their dog or cat. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation eleven percent of pet lovers will dress their animal in a pumpkin costume, while 7 percent will dress their cat or dog as a hot dog, 5 percent as a bumble bee and 3 percent as the devil. Other pet costumes included cat and dog tied at 3.1 percent, lion 2.9 percent, Star Wars character 2.8 percent, Super Hero 2.7 percent and ghost at 2.5 percent.
If you’re going to put your pet in a costume please make sure it is pet safe. The costume needs to be non-toxic and non-flammable, remove any chewable parts that can cause a choking hazard. Do not put masks or anything that covers their eyes and ears on them and don’t put them in anything that can become tangled around their legs. Make sure your pet is comfortable in the costume so they can walk unhampered. If your pet appears uncomfortable, take off the costume. Signs of discomfort include folded down ears, eyes rolling back or looking sideways, a tucked tail and hunching over.
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Keep the treat bowl out of reach of pets. Most candy is toxic to your pets, foods like chocolate, gum and xylitol (a sweetener used in many foods), are hazardous to them. Always watch your kids near the treat bowl or their own treats. Most kids can’t help but share with the four legged friend. If you suspect your pet has eaten something that's bad for them, call your veterinarian or the Poison Control Center immediately. Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 or down load the poison control app at Google play.
If you should dress up the furry kids keep an eye on their body language. If they have that devilish look they may be plotting their revenge.
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Doorbells ringing during the trick or treating night may make your furry kids uneasy and anxious. To reduce their stress and the chance of making a mad dash out the door place them in a quiet room with toys and some treats and even soothing music such as classical with less vocals. You can also buy the Pet Acoustics Pet Tunes Calming Music Dog Speaker and Cat Speaker. The speaker comes with 90 minutes of calming music for dogs or cats that was personally designed by Marlow to alleviate stress-related behaviors in pets. Even if you are just having friends over for a Halloween party, keep your pets away from the festivities in their safe room
Halloween decorations are great but can be a hazard to your pet such as the obvious lit candles and the smell of scented candles are toxic to birds. Other dangerous decorations: rubber eyeballs (choking risk), glow sticks and fake blood (possible poisons), fake cobwebs (can choke or entangle pets and wildlife), potpourri (toxic to birds) and strung lights.
In case they escape, make sure that all of your pets are wearing tags with current IDs (and consider micro chipping them).
Halloween Time for your Pet:
The limited-edition Blue Buffalo Halloween Boo Bars Mummy Morsels with Pumpkin & Cinnamon and limited-edition Temptations Mixups Mummy cat treats. For these and more great Halloween treats and more visit Chewy.com Halloween Pet Shop.
Zuke's Mini Natural Ghosts Turkey and Pumpkin Treats. These delicious treats come in fun Halloween shapes. Give your furry friend a fun look this Halloween with the Thrills & Chills Taco Costume. For more great Halloween items visit Pet Smart Halloween Shop
It’s not Halloween without ghost and pumpkin cookies. You can give your dog fresh baked all natural dog treats. Order now before Halloween online at Doggy Bakery
From Star Wars Darth Vader Illusion Dog Costume to King Purrington for cats and toys visit petco Halloween Shop and right now receive 30 percent off entire stock of Bootique Halloween Collection.
Have a spooky, fun and safe pet Halloween.
Courtesy; Humane Society.org and anticruelty.org