Doggone scary holidays

For pets, any holiday, not just Halloween, can be a little scary. Our routines change, and change is stressful for your pet. At Christmas, there are decorations just asking to be eaten. At Thanksgiving, there are relatives slipping leftovers to the dog. Indigestion is the mildest possible outcome of all our merry-making.

For some pets, the sound of the doorbell ringing is enough to send them into hiding for the evening. On Halloween, the fact that groups of noisy, scary children dressed as zombies and princesses are ringing that bell, raises the threat level. Dogs may feel defensive and bark or charge at visitors. Even a reliable, even-tempered dog could bite and inflict serious injury in this situation. Cats may run outside through an open door and become lost.

The best thing one can do to protect the family pet at Halloween is to confine dogs and cats to a safe, secure area as far away from all the excitement as possible. If one family member can stay with the pet to provide a familiar presence, so much the better.

For dogs that panic easily in unfamiliar situations, talk to your veterinarian about sedatives. If the budget allows, consider taking your pet to be boarded overnight, especially if you are hosting a Halloween party.

Cats should be kept indoors the entire day and night of Halloween to protect them from malicious abuse. If you have a cat that is accustomed to being outdoors, bring him inside at breakfast time and keep him inside until breakfast the following day. He might not like it, but it’s for his own safety. (Wag your finger at him as you say this.)

The threat doesn’t end after Halloween night. Many dogs and cats will eat any candy within their reach, wrappers and all. This can cause potentially serious intestinal upset, an intestinal blockage, or, in the case of chocolate, toxic effects such as seizures. Keep candy in an inaccessible spot. If you know your pet has gotten into candy, call your vet. Be ready to tell them exactly what, and how much, you think the animal has eaten. It may be OK to just observe your pet at home, but, depending on the situation, your vet may need to induce vomiting and treat for a toxic exposure.

For mellow pets who love all visitors and are not fazed by anything, go ahead, dress them up in an animal-friendly costume and make them part of the fun.

And have a happy Halloween.