Have a PET-rifying Halloween!

[Author's note: I have been asked to apologize for how horrible that pun is.  Sorry; I guess I thought I could blog with imPUNity.]
[Author's note: Sorry again.  Back to business.]

For lots of people (this WHS blogger included), Halloween is kind a big deal.  It's tons of fun for kids of all ages (even the grown-up ones), and it's one of those rare occasions when you can put on something ridiculous and embarrassing and walk proudly out of your house and into the public eye, because everybody else is doing the same thing, so who cares?  Plus, there's candy.  Lots and lots of candy.  Nobody outgrows candy, right? 

Halloween can be even more fun if you have a pet to embarrass, but it can be a pretty stressful night for your four-legged friend, too.  That's why we're offering a few reminders to help you make sure Halloween is as much of a blast (or at least not a disaster) for your pets as it is for you.

First things first: we hope you keep your pets indoors anyway, but for those of you who have indoor/outdoor pets, Halloween is a good night to try out that indoor-only thing.  Many people worry about people who use Halloween as an excuse to deliberately harm animals they might come across, and although this is really an uncommon occurrence, it's worth noting that your pet is much less likely to be accessible to anyone who might want to hurt him if he's safely enclosed in your home.  There are other, more common outdoor risks to think about on Halloween, though; candles in jack-o-lanterns, discarded candy and wrappers, tangly spider webs and other decorations, and the general terror that comes with roaming hordes of children make for a scary night for an outdoor pet.  Add to that the increased risk of gates being opened (due to the previously mentioned roaming hordes of children), and your pet can easily become lost and disoriented.  

Candy and pets do not mix, so keep an eye on that candy bowl!  If you're really concerned that Fluffy or Fido are feeling left out, have some pet-friendly treats on hand to offer them - but it's never a good idea to let them share the sweets.  Everyone (hopefully) knows that chocolate is a big problem for pets, but the dangers that lurk in the candy bowl are greater and more varied than you might think: sugar-free candies that contain xylitol can be lethal within hours, even in relatively small quantities; although peanuts are ok, macadamia nuts and many others that might be mixed in with those sweets are toxic; and, if you've decided to go the healthy route and hand out raisins, guess what!  Those are toxic, too.  Don't take the risk, especially on a late night when access to veterinary services will be difficult to find.  Some healthy alternatives, if just plain old pet treats that you can buy at the store don't seem fancy enough for the occasion, are fresh fruits and veggies like carrots, apple slices, green beans, and bananas; well-cooked, lean, deboned meat or fish; or unsalted pretzels dipped in yogurt.  

Booze and pets do not mix.  Every time I see a "cute" photo of a puppy drinking beer on the internet, it makes me cringe; since when is deliberately endangering your pet considered "cute?"  Alcohol affects dogs and cats in much the same way that it affects us, but it hits them harder and faster; even a small amount puts your pet in danger.  We're talking visible drunkenness within 15-30 minutes of ingestion, and from there a slowing heart rate, cardiac arrest, and death.  The scariest thing about this scenario is that, in a house party situation, there might not be anybody paying attention to your pet's symptoms, or sober enough to get him to the vet if he needs it.  If you're hosting a party this Halloween, set strict ground rules with your guests: absolutely no drinks shared with pets.  Or, better yet, keep your pets separate from your guests entirely.  And if you're a guest at a party, don't be the guy who thinks that giving your host's pets booze is cute.  It's not.

If you get a lot of trick-or-treaters at your house, and you have a pet who freaks out when the doorbell rings, you're in for a long night.  Add to that the strangers at the door dressed up as even weirder strangers, and a nervous pet might end up in melt-down mode.  If you know your pet will be frightened by the ramped-up activity at the front door, the best solution is just to close him in a quiet room at the other end of the house so he can be buffered from it as much as possible.  It doesn't hurt to turn on the radio or tv, too. 

Dressing your pet up for Halloween?  Make sure you keep an eye on him while he's in character!  Some pets are thrilled about dressing up, but others might be tempted to chew, scratch, or struggle; you definitely don't want your dog or cat eating part of his costume, or getting a leg caught somewhere and taking a tumble.  As cute as costumes are, if your pet is not handling it well, it's a better idea to take the costume off than to stress him out by keeping it on all night...just make sure you take a photo first.  You know, for blackmail purposes down the road. 

WHS alum Dax really knows how to make a blackmail photo pop.

We saved the best for last, and this one is VERY important: always, always, always have legible, up-to-date ID tags on your pet on Halloween.  Do that on any day, really; but ID is especially important on holidays like Halloween when the stress level is ramped up and the door is spending a lot of time open.  If your pet is microchipped, double-check the registration and make sure that it's also up-to-date; if your pet is not microchipped, why the heck not?!  Collars and tags can get scratched up or fall off; microchips don't.  Talk to your vet or your local humane society about having your pet chipped. 

Happy Halloween, from all of us at WHS!  May your evening be spooky, and your pets, although potentially humiliated, be safe and stress-free.