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How to Keep Your Pets Safe on Halloween
By:
Discovery
and
Best Friends Animal Society
October 27 is National Black Cat Day! In honor of that, here's how we can protect our pets on the scariest day of the year, Halloween!
October 27, 2020
In 2020, Halloween will likely look very different for many people in the US, regardless this day still looks the same for our furry friends. Understanding what can be dangerous for our pets is especially important during the holidays.
The Safety Dance
Elizabeth W. Kearley
Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) is here for us again! They have recommendations on how to live our best lives on Halloween, while still keeping our pets safe.
- Candy is for kids, not dogs and cats. Chocolate can be very toxic to our furry friends. Candy containing xylitol (artificial sweetener) can also be dangerous. Keep any stashes of candy out of pets' reach.
- Wires and cords that light up your holiday decorations can be deadly if chewed on. Please make sure pets don't have access to them.
- Jack-o-lanterns with lit candles should be kept away from pets who might accidentally knock them over and potentially start a fire.
- Pets should be kept inside during Halloween, if trick-or-treating is happening in your community. Use caution when answering the door so your cat doesn't dart outside. If the extra door knocking or doorbell ringing stresses out your pets, put them in a quiet room away from the noise.
Fancy Dress for your Pets
Image by cuppyuppycake
Look, there is nothing cuter than a dachshund dressed up like a hot dog or a kitten dressed up like a lion, but let's be aware of our pets comfort and safety. Here are a few more tips about pet costumes from BFAS.
- Make sure your pets have current ID tags and that microchip info is up to date.
- If you do decide to dress up your pet, make sure the costume is not annoying and is safe for your pet. Costumes should not constrict movement, breathing, or vision. Small dangling pieces can be choking hazards. Ill-fitting costumes can get twisted and caught on external objects and hurt your pet.
- Most dogs would prefer not to go out for Halloween parades or scavenger hunts. The chaos and costumes and excited kids can be frightening to even the friendliest of dogs and cause them to act differently than normal.
Black Cats Are Good Luck!
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We love all animals here at Discovery, and BFAS leaves us with some aweome facts about black cats!
- Black cats are a symbol of good luck in Great Britain.
- A strange black cat’s arrival at a home signifies prosperity in Scotland.
- In Japan, it is said that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors.
- Fishermen’s wives would keep black cats in their homes because they believed the cats could protect their husbands at sea and bring them home safely.
- Sailors considered a black ship cat to be especially lucky.
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