10/31/2024
Halloween can be scary for pets. Prepare them before the trick or treaters come knocking.
Halloween can be very scary for pets. In fact, it is one of the days ranked highest for pets getting lost. Why? Pets get scared. The energy, the costumes, the noises, the decorations.
What can you do?
* Find a quiet, secure place for your pet to be BEFORE the trick or treaters start arriving. You want to alleviate the stress of so many people coming to your door. Remember this is your pet’s safe home. You also don’t want a pet to slip out the door unintentionally. This happens so often on Halloween.
* Understand your pet might be afraid of costumes. They don’t understand humans wearing costumes. The noises, behaviors, etc… that are all part of the costume. (Costume parties, trick or treaters, etc. )
* If your pet is tolerant of costumes, please please please dont allow others to intentionally scare your pet with their costume. Humans can find this funny. It is NOT funny to your pet.
* Put pets inside before trick or treaters start. Especially cats (dogs arent typically loose like cats). So many cats going missing because they get spooked or are afraid to go home.
* Make sure ID tags and microchips are on and up to date with current information.
* Tell your pet what to expect. Example: “Im keeping you in this room because trick or treaters are coming and I want you to be safe and relaxed. We are going to have many kids coming to our door but they won’t look like kids. It is a silly human holiday. You are safe in this room. I will come get you as soon as it is over and check on you when I can.”
My goal is zero calls for lost pets on November 1st. Help me with that goal!
Now, there are some pets that are totally cool with Halloween, costumes, the energy and decorations. And for those pets, great! Some will really love the energy and the fun! And this is great!!
Even so, watch for signs of stress. Panting, yawning, tail tucked, looking sideways. And just knowing your pet and seeing tension. Also keep an extra eye on them…
It is still very easy for them to slip out the door, all in good fun, and then Boom… they’re missing.
Never ever ever assume your pet is not going to go missing. It can happen to any pet, any time, just by accident. No animal or human should have to go through the stress and heartache of a missing pet. It’s often the ones that people never expected. Because when you have a flight risk you are always ready for it and one step ahead. When you have a pet that never ever takes off, your caught off guard.
