Halloween Pet Safety Tips

October 27, 2008 - Halloween is a lot of fun for you and your kids, but it may not be for other members of your family.  All the commotion, doorbells, and strange looking costumes can be very scary for your pet.  

Follow the Spartanburg Humane Society's (SHS) simple pet safety tips to ensure everyone in your life has a happy Halloween:

• Decorations:  Keep decorations that pets could chew on, such as streamers, fake spider webs, wires and cords for electrical decorations, out of reach.   Also use caution with live flame decorations like candles and Jack-O-Lanterns. Wagging tails can knock over lit pumpkins causing a fire.  Curious cats run the risk of being singed or burned by the flame.

• Walk Before the Festivities:  Walk your dog early in the night, before the streets are full of ghosts and goblins.

• Keep Your Pet in a Quiet Place:  Dogs and cats can become frightened or agitated by the sights and sounds of costumed visitors.  Bring outdoor pets inside and keep them in a separate room during trick-or-treat visiting hours. Frequently opened doors make a great escape route for those already distressed.  Make sure all pets are wearing collars and ID tags in case of escape.

• Pet Costumes:  If you choose to dress your pet in a costume, keep in mind that you could be causing it discomfort and stress. Try them on in advance and see how they react. Make sure the costume is not constricting, annoying or unsafe. If putting a mask on your animal, make sure the eye holes are big enough not to obstruct their vision. Animals depend on their vision to let them know what's going on and even the nicest dog can get snippy if he can't see what's around him.

• Leave Your Pets at Home:  Adults may have more responsibility than they bargained for if they take their pet trick-or-treating with the kids. Pets may become spooked by the strange sights and sounds and try to make a hasty get away.  Normally friendly Fido also may not take kindly to costumed strangers approaching your family; there is no need to ruin the fun with a dog bite.

• Trick or Treat Candies Are Not for Pets:  Chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals. Even the wrappers, such as tin foil and plastic, are dangerous and can get stuck in your pet's digestive system, making them ill. Instead, treat your dog or cat to a Pet Friendly Halloween Snack.  (See Below!) 
  

Pet Friendly Halloween Treats

Bark 'O Lanterns (dog treats)

Ingredients:
1 cup oat flour
1 cup brown rice flour
1 cup pumpkin (canned or fresh)
2 Tablespoons molasses (regular or blackstrap)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine all ingredients together and mix until a dough forms. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4" thickness. Use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter (or a knife) to cut into shapes. Then, use a knife to cut out eyes and a mouth (and a nose if you can fit it). Place on an ungreased cookie sheet (they can be rather close together as they don't grow much while cooking). Bake 20-25 minutes. Transfer and let cool completely on a wire rack. Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Gobble-ups (cat treats)

Ingredients:
1 cup cooked turkey or chicken 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
1 tablespoon margarine
1 cup whole wheat flour
 
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine turkey, broth and margarine. Add flour to make a soft dough. Add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky. Roll out dough and cut with cookie cutter, or break off pieces and form into interesting shapes. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes on ungreased cookie sheets. Makes about 30 treats. Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 The SHS wishes you and your pet a very happy and safe Halloween!