Women Lifestyle, Fashion, Health, Beauty and Personality

Halloween is only a couple of weeks away and from now through Christmas, we???ll be in that time of year when chocolate is more often consumed and found in the home. Jack-o-lanterns, bowlfuls of candy and strangers in funny outfits ringing the doorbell are synonymous with Halloween, but for some furry, four-legged members of the family, these holiday staples can be a nightmare. Halloween is a great time for the kids and the grown-ups to dress up in cool and scary costumes. But this may not be a great time for your cat or dog. Everyone wants to have a safe and happy Halloween for their children, pets and guests, right?

While safety tips for trick-or-treaters are important this Halloween, experts say safety guidelines for pets are a must. Just because you think a Halloween costume for pets is cute doesn’t mean the pet will enjoy wearing it. Try it on in advance and see how the pet reacts. “Costumes just have to be comfortable on a pet because if they’re not, it would put a lot of stress on a pet,” said Peggy Aguilar, a shelter manager of the Humane Society of North Texas in Fort Worth. If you dress your pet in a costume, make sure its vision is not obstructed. The costume should not constrict the animal’s movement, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Costumes should not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that your pet can choke on.
Twinkly pumpkin lights make terrific decorations, but for pets who like to nibble, they’re a potential source of electrical shock, as well as choking hazard, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

As much as your dog and cat may beg for some of your Halloween candy, always remember that chocolate can be deadly to them in any amount. Candy is not for pets, candy is toxic for animals and can cause vomiting, restlessness, heart disturbances and even death. And tin foil and wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
And for kids, instruct them to not eat any of the treats until they bring them home to be examined by you. Watch the candy intake when the kids arrive home. Too much candy can lead to stomachaches and indigestion, that includes you too.
If you suspect your pet has eaten chocolate or other candy that causes discomfort, consult your veterinarian immediately. Humans are large enough and have metabolisms that will break down the chemical before it causes any problems. But because your pet is smaller and has different metabolism, a large enough amount can cause heart attacks and heart failure. Typically, dogs are most at risk for poisoning by chocolate.

If you own a black cats, remember that this is the time of year when people sometimes harm black cats. Owners should take extra precautions by confining the feline to the house several days before Halloween. This will reduce the chances of someone abducting your black cat. Even kids who mean no harm may yell at or chase a black cat. Owners should especially take their animals inside because they can be the targets of pranksters.

Keep pets away from the front door and in a separate room. Pets, especially dogs, are easily excitable or threatened by strangers. Also keep your pets in separate rooms when trick-or-treaters come to the door, where they won’t be disturbed, too many strangers in strange garb can scare pets. “One thing is that your pet will run out the front door with all those trick-or-treaters coming to the door,” said Dianne Kimberling of Euless, owner of Pampered Paws Pet Sitting. “They get excited with all that activity. I just stand out in the driveway. That way I don’t have to keep opening and closing the door.”
Make sure your cat or dog wears a current Broward County animal license tag on its collar. If your pet is lost, it is 10 times more likely to be returned to you if it has a license tag.

Children should go out during daylight hours only unless accompanied by a responsible adult. Also teach your kids everyday safety such as not getting into cars with or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing a street and crossing when the lights tell you. Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or shows reflective tape on costumes to make them visible to cars.
Don’t forget, for the trick-or-treaters, consider purchasing individually packaged healthy food alternatives or safe non-food treats.

Make sure Halloween is both enjoyable and safe for the family and pets.