Halloween is fast approaching, and it is time for all of us pet owners to consider safety factors for our beloved pets.
Dogs and cats can become very anxious Halloween night with all of the activity. If at all possible, leave your pet in a quiet, comfortable room away from all the trick-or-treaters. Leave plenty of water, a few treats, toys and a radio or television on and this will help keep your pet calm and safe until your doors are locked and lights are turned off.
Please don’t give your pets candy, especially chocolate, which can be very dangerous and even lethal. Chocolate, when ingested by pets, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and seizures. Also, the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. It can also cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Courtesy/Metro Creative
When the kids start coming to the door and you can’t keep your animals in another room as has been suggested, try what we use to do at our house. My beloved Henry used to love children so much that he just wanted to lick the kids and play with them. My husband would keep him on a leash near the door so he could see them, but not dart out the door and accompany them on their next stop.
Pumpkins are a hallmark of Halloween, but if pets decide to have one for a snack, a pumpkin can cause terrible gastric problems so it’s best to keep them away from them. Use caution if you have lit pumpkins. Cats and dogs are very curious, and could get burnt or have a fire. Many pets are curious about electrical cords so we need to be careful with them. If a pet bit into an electrical cord, it could cause a life-threatening shock.
Always, always have identification on your pet and make sure all the information is current. Years ago, we had a dog named Sheba who was petrified of thunderstorms. During one particular storm, she managed to get out of the house and took off. Luckily she ran into someone’ garage, probably trying to get away from the storm. They saw her ID and called us immediately. We were so relieved. Sheba was not street smart, and we were terrified she would be hit by a car. If your pet does not have an identification tag, please consider getting one.
The Central Aroostook Humane Society will be hosting their eighth annual Toast to the Animals on Satuday, Nov. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center. Tickets are $15, and you must be over 21 to attend. Tickets are available at the Shelter at 26 Cross Street, or you may call Nancy Nichols at 227-1609. This is a wonderful fun event with a silent auction, and our biggest fundraiser of the year. Please come to support the shelter.
“Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” — George Eliot.
Carolyn Cheney is a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
