KCAC’s Top 7 Do’s and Don’ts for Pets on Halloween
Kane County Animal Control puts together some of the best stuff on their website. Be sure to visit KaneCountyPets.com when you get a chance.
The latest is Halloween Pet-Safety Tips. It’s full of excellent, common-sense advice as well as a quite a few things I just didn’t know (like that the artificial sweetener Xylitol can cause serious problems for your pets.)
Plus, and this is solely a personal comment, pets in costumes can be adorable and funny, but it’s agony to see any animal dressed up when its doesn’t want to be. (Like the salad dog in the feature photo.)
Anyway, and with out further do-do, here are Animal Control’s Top 7 Tips For Halloween Pet Safety:
(1) Keep Candy Away From Your Dog.
That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters. Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate, can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause serious problems for your pets.
(2) Keep Your Pet Safe.
When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside. If your dog is timid or scared, or if he tends to love people a little too much, it is best to put him in a separate room away from the front door to limit their excitement, aggression or fears.
Even in a fenced yard, bring your dog inside where it is safe. Your dog may be used to strangers, but so many little ghouls and goblins running about may be too much.
(3) Check Your Pet’s ID Tags.
Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that they will be returned to you.
(4) If Your Pet Must Dress Up, Ensure It Is Safe And Not Annoying.
While some animals enjoy being dressed up, many don’t. Experiment first to see if your pet likes being in a costume. The costume should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede its ability to breathe, bark or meow.
(5) Decorations.
Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of our pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts, burns or receive a shock. A carved pumpkin is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle.
Excited or agitated dogs can easily knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Consider a battery powered candle that does not burn for safety.
(6) Be Prepared.
If you take your dog with you trick-or-treating, be prepared at all times. Dogs do not understand that the person jumping out at you will not hurt you: They often think they can only help you by acting aggressively. Neither children nor adults in costumes should approach a dog without the owner’s consent.
(7) Help Your Pet Get Ready For Halloween.
Your pet may see their family members as strangers once they don their Halloween costumes. Before the kids put them on, allow your pet to scent the costumes. Keep masks off while your pet is around.
About Kane County Animal Control
It is the duty of the Animal Control Department to:
- Ensure that all domesticated dogs and cats over 4 months of age are vaccinated against Rabies and have a Kane County Rabies Tag.
- Ensure that all reported animal bites are given precautionary attention in relation to the possibility rabies infection.
- Ensure that pet owners are instructed on proper procedures pertaining to animal bites and enforce adherence to these procedures.
- Contain loose\stray dogs in unincorporated Kane County and those towns and villages with whom contracted.
- Investigate nuisance dog complaints in unincorporated Kane County and those towns and villages with whom contracted.
- Investigate complaints of neglected and\or abused dogs.
Want more information? Visit kanecoutypets.org or the Kane County Animal Control Facebook page.
