Trick and Treat Safety for your Pets

Here are some dos and don’ts for Trick or Treat.

·         Make sure your pet’s costume is lightweight, not confining.

·         If your pet is afraid of the costume, please don’t force the issue.

·         If your pet finds the constant ringing of the doorbell stressful, please remove your pet from the action and tuck her in a safe, quiet spot.

·         Make sure your pets cannot escape through an open door or window.

·         Kitties should probably be closed off in another room.

·         Dogs should be walked on leashes for potty breaks.

·         Please keep all Halloween candy and treats like raisins, chocolate, trail mix etc. out of the reach of your dog.  Cats don’t like sweets, so they are usually safe from eating the candy.

·         Not only is candy a health threat, but so are the wrappers.

·         Beware of fire hazards with candles.  Cats love to play in a flickering candy flame.

·         Glow sticks and jewelry are popular…cats and dogs love to gnaw on them.

As careful as you are, sometimes they can slip out the door.  Please make sure you have identification on them if this happens

Many plants harm both cats and dogs.

Many plants harm both cats and dogs.
People often times have plants in gardens or indoors without considering the toxicity to pets. 

Greenery
Aloe, is poisonous to pets when ingested. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, tremors and a change in urine color. Holly plants also harm pets when eaten, causing vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Yew bush parts may give pets trouble if eaten. Various types of ivy, including English and Boston ivy, and mistletoe, are toxic to dogs and cats. The ingestion of boxwood bush parts causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats. Hostas cause similar reactions in pets when eaten. Elephant ear plants, caladium and several ferns also harm pets when eaten.

Flowers
Lilies, irises and chrysanthemum flowers are hazardous for pets. Poinsettia plants cause irritation, including vomiting, in to cats and dogs when eaten. Tulips, particularly the bulbs, cause vomiting, diarrhea and salivation. Daisies and chamomile are other flowering plants toxic to pets, hibiscus, birds of paradise, oleander and rhododendron. Rhododendron and oleander are especially dangerous and can cause death.

Debbie Pokorn
Fitpetsandpeople.com

Hello Kitty

 

So, I’m not really a “cat-person”; my owner isn’t either.   She's afraid of cats.  She’s a horse-person (and, naturally, a dog-person, too).  I suppose cats are OK.  My owner’s favorite cat was named Wilson.  Wilson was the perfect cat.  First, she was the neighbor’s cat so I didn’t have to share my room at our house!  Second, Wilson spent most of her time moussing in our barn.  And Wilson was a stellar mouser!  What my owner liked the most is Wilson would always take her catch back home to her house. 

No fuss – no muss J

Our neighbors, and Wilson, moved away about a year ago.  Don’t look at me!  I’m no mouser.  Have you ever heard of mouse-flavored dog food?  I guess we’ll just have to attract another visiting cat.  How do you do that?  Here kitty, kitty...  Or is it Hello Kitty?  If you’re a cat and a good mouser reading this, please come by for a visit.  I' d love to meet you and so would my owner.



 

From The Mouth of a Dog

Luv, Sydney