The chill of fall is here, porches are covered in pumpkins, and there’s a latent need to watch Ghostbusters again. Halloween is a fun celebration for many people, but the holiday can be a little too scary for pets if you don’t take precautions.
Dr. Erin Ray, a clinical assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, has some heedy advice for pet owners to best celebrate the spooky season with their furry friends.
an unforgettable howl
Wandering through haunted houses, cemeteries, and horror movie theaters, Halloween enthusiasts may crave the adrenaline rush this season brings, but a loving pet nearby won’t necessarily agree with their owner’s affinity for the scary. There are no restrictions.
“Pets may show signs of fear in new, crowded, or noisy places. That includes places like movies,” Ray said. “Pets often reflect their owners’ emotions, so if their owners feel scared, nervous, or anxious, their pets may show similar signs.”
Some ways pets show fear and anxiety include:
Ears are back and tail is retracted Pupils are dilated Hiding/shrinking and trying to escape Hair on back is growing/Tail is standing
Dogs may show fear by barking or biting, and cats may hiss or smack.
For pets that don’t share your enthusiasm for this spooky season, it’s important that you stay aware of the signs of discomfort. You can ease your furry friend’s fears by simply turning off a Friday the 13th marathon or leaving your pet at home during a spooky outing.
trick attack
Since Halloween is often celebrated with lots of candy and other sweet treats, owners have a responsibility to be very careful about what kind of treats their animals can eat.
“Throughout this holiday season, it’s important to be careful about ingesting candy or food that can be potentially toxic to your pet,” Ray said.
The ingredients most commonly known to be harmful to pets are:
Chocolate Onions Garlic Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener) Fatty Foods
“Pet treats are fun to give your pet as long as they’re not too thick, don’t contain toxic ingredients, pose a choking hazard, or are too hard,” Ray said.
Another way to celebrate with friends is to invest in a new toy.
“Toys that won’t tear, shatter, or splinter, especially string toys for cats, are great gifts to give your furry friend during the holidays while you supervise them,” Ray says. I did.
creepin it real
Pets’ tastes in Halloween festivities vary, and their comfort level with certain elements of Halloween varies, as some people prefer to carve pumpkins casually, while others prefer being chased through a corn maze. often depends on personality.
“Many animals don’t like big new decorations that can scare them or make them nervous, while others enjoy playing with them and chewing them,” Ray says. “Anything that has jewelry lying around that can be chewed or swallowed is a foreign object hazard.
“Parties and trick-or-treating can be fun for some animals, such as social dogs and cats who like attention, but scary shapes and sounds, such as a doorbell ringing, can make others “It can be stressful for the animal,” she said. “If the costume is large, elaborate, or something the animal has never seen before, it can also frighten your pet.”
With this in mind, Ray strongly recommends being careful around parties where your pet may encounter unexpected threats. If you have people visiting, it’s also important to let them know which treats they can and cannot share with your pet.
Halloween is meant to bring adrenaline, laughter, and a scare or two, but with a few simple adjustments, you can make it a fun holiday for the whole family. Celebrate your black cat or take your furry friend on a spooky ride and you’re sure to create lifelong memories filled with vet-approved treats and toys.
