Keeping Your Pet Safe and Comfortable This Halloween
Spooky season is upon us! Are you and your pet ready for the big day?
Halloween can be a pretty polarizing holiday. Odds are you either love getting into the spooky spirit and handing out candy or you are going to treat it like any other day. Whatever kind of October 31st you prefer, it is a great idea to have a pet plan in place. Let’s discuss keeping your pet safe and comfortable this Halloween.
The Lead Up
First thing’s first – what kind of Halloween do you want to have? What are your plans? Now, what about your four-legged family members? Halloween can be a challenging time for our furry friends. The costumes, the doorbells, the candy, oh my!
My Plan
Each pet’s needs are different. I know my pupper does not like visitors approaching the door… And that treacherous doorbell! Loud noises and strange guests are not her forte. So, we will be doing a few things to put her at ease.
First thing’s first. She is prescribed the common anti-anxiety treatment combination of trazodone and gabapentin. She is a nervous nellie (quite literally, her name is Nellie), and thunderstorms and vet visits send her into a tizzy. Because of this, she gets vet-prescribed treatment to help her through these abnormal, anxiety-producing times.
So, early afternoon will be a lovely sugar-free peanut butter pill sampling followed by an early jot around the neighborhood. Getting her walk in early followed by some preventative vet-approved treatment will help ease her into the eve.
Since she is not a fan of front door approachers, the plan is for her to spend the evening in the back of the house, cozied up away from all the noise. We will sit outside to avoid any unapproved doorbell rings. She gets her pick of a sleepy evening and we get ours of still enjoying the festivities. Everybody will be happy!
Making Your Plan
Maybe your furry friend won’t require quite the same lead up as mine, but it is still good to have a plan! I would highly recommend getting your walks in early and leaving your furry friend at home if you will be going out trick or treating. Remember, just because you would love for them to dawn a costume and take on the town, they may not have the same preferences. Be accommodating!
Regardless of your pet, it is important for you to plan your evening. Are you going to hand out candy, and if so, how (from the front porch, door, driveway)? If that isn’t your bag, maybe consider turning off those house lights.
The Main Event
Maybe you have a cat or dog that is known for their escape artistry. Maybe find a comfortable, escape-free location. Take a second to consider if frequent knocking and visitors will put them on edge, and plan accordingly. Maybe there is a quiet backroom or basement that can be made into a comfortable haven.
If your pet is going to roam, decide ahead of time: are you comfortable with them being greeted by visitors? Is there a certain way your pet would prefer to be greeted? Remember your pets might get confused – they will need some attention, too!
The Aftermath
Here is one of the most important things you can do: secure your candy! Vets are no stranger to a spike in chocolate poisoning around this time of year. Keep those goods locked up! This also makes a great opportunity to educate little ones on pets and food-related safety.
When it comes to taking down decorations, make sure your pet doesn’t steal anything… Speaking from experience on this one; I guess twine pumpkins on wooden sticks are a nice chew toy. As we head into the holiday season, make sure all of the next holidays’ decorations are safe for your furry friend. Happy Halloween!
