Halloween safety for animals.

Halloween is a great time for humans and not so much for your other family members.

There are unfamiliar looking people? that come to the door at all different times ringing the door bell and screaming out "Trick or Treat"  It isn't a treat for your non-human family and is very terrifying for them and it puts them on high alert all night long. This could also set them up for some time to have high anxiety even after Halloween is over.

You should have on hand Bach Flower Essence - Rescue Remedy or FES Five-Flower Formula - Anaflora -Return to Joy, or any other rescue flower essence. Put this in their water in the morning of Halloween and continue through the next couple of days.

This is great advise from North Shore Animal League America plus other information from other sites that I have added to it.

North Shore Animal League America would like to offer some tips and advice for treats NOT tricks on Halloween. Keeping your pets safe and secure will ensure that they don't need to go running to their mummies

• Make sure your pets have on identification at all times. With that front door continuously opening and closing for trick-or-treaters, there is a chance they could run out - especially if they're spooked. If you really wish to greet your guests with your pet by your side, place a baby gate in front of the door to prevent escapes and possible fear reactions to your ghoulish visitors.
• Don't leave pets out in the yard on Halloween. Surprisingly, vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Inexcusable? Yes! But preventable nonetheless. Keep your outdoor cats inside several days before and several days after Halloween. Black cats are especially at risk from pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. In fact, many shelters do not adopt out black cats during the month of October as a safety precaution. Unfortunately, there can be tricks in addition to treats on Halloween. Keep your pets inside so that they will not be the target of pranksters who might tease, injure, steal and even seriously harm pets on this night.
• Give your pets a quiet, safe place on Halloween. Scary parties, constant doorbell ringing or too many strangers in your home can be stressful to your four-legged friends and even make them physically ill.

http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-behavior/Canine-Phobias-and-Anxieties.aspx

• According to Dr. Justine Lee, a critical care specialist and associate director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline, calls increase by 12 percent during the week of Halloween, making it the call center’s busiest time of year. Halloween candy, wrappers and decorations should be kept out of your pets' reach. Chocolate can be toxic to animals, and many sugar-free candy, gum and baked products today contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. *If you suspect that your pet has ingested any amount of xylitol, call your veterinarian immediately. Tinfoil, cellophane, plastic candy wrappers and party supplies can be hazardous if swallowed. Beware of chocolate rich, delicious chocolate is a favorite treat of humans, but toxic for dogs and cats - especially dark and baking chocolate. The presence of the alkaloidtheobromine can cause tremors, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death. Be sure to keep the candy bowl out of reach of pets, and quickly clean up any pieces that make their way to the floor.
• pet poison helpline number (24 hour) 800-213-6688  http://petpoisonhelpline.com/
• Keep glow sticks and glow jewelry away from your pets. Although the liquid in these products isn't likely toxic, it tastes really bad and makes pets salivate excessively and act strangely;
• Keep lighted pumpkins out of your pet's reach. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens especially run the risk of being burned.
• Keep all electrical cords and wires out of your pet’s reach. Halloween decorations are a great way to celebrate the holiday but can be harmful and even deadly to your pets should they chew on or ingest them.
• Costumes are fun for people, but not necessarily for your pets. Don't dress up your pet unless you know they enjoy it. (if they pull away or go and hide or have a behavior change that is a good clue they aren't into having a costume on) Make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe, and doesn't restrict movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that the pet could chew off and possibly choke on. Make sure that costumed pets are supervised at all times. Always have reflective material on your costume so that you and your pet can be seen at night.  Try on pet costumes before the big night. If they seem distressed, allergic, or show abnormal behavior, consider letting them go in their “birthday suit”. Festive bandanas usually work for party poopers, too. Just make sure that it is not restrictive and can come off quickly in case of an emergency.
• Although tempting, do not bring your dog along for trick-or-treating. Even the best-trained dogs can become spooked or aggressive in the noise and confusion of Halloween. Children you encounter may also be fearful of dogs.
• Dastardly decorations  As with any decor, be sure it is pet-safe. Keep wires bundled and out of reach so pets do not chew them and get electrocuted. Decorations containing polyurethane glue can be deadly if ingested - the glue expands and hardens in the stomach, leading to a rock-like mass that needs immediate veterinary intervention. Consider the safety of your other decorations - might the dog unravel the mummy and eat the bandages? Will the cat be spooked by the display with flashing lights? Be smart and don’t let your haunted house give your pet a true scare.

Ultimately - It's never a good idea to take your pet trick-or-treating. Dogs may become excited and uncontrollable, and if frightened may bite. For their protection, cats should be kept indoors at all times.

youtube advise on halloween  http://www.youtube.com/user/AmerVetMedAssn