Holiday Hints Make Halloween a Treat Instead of a Nightmare for Pets

Author and animal expert, Diana L. Guerrero shares tips for a safe and Happy Halloween for pets.

(PRWEB) October 31, 2004 -- Halloween can be a frightening and risky holiday for pets but Halloween celebrations can be safe and fun for pets if people are prepared according to pet expert and author, Diana L. Guerrero.

Guerrero, the author of "What Animals Can Teach Us About Spirituality: Inspiring Lessons of Wild & Tame Creatures," is an animal behaviorist based in southern California. She said, "Although some pets might like to dress up and participate in events, many more have adverse reactions. Pets can get very frightened by costumes and other unusual activities surrounding the Halloween celebrations. Constant door knocking, bell ringing, and unusual appearing guests can stress pets or spook them. This can contribute to escape or aggression."

Need some Halloween Pet Safety Tips? Guerrero suggests:

-Keep animals confined on Halloween. Seclude them safely in a room away from the door and distractions.
-Walk pets before dark to avoid any altercations with costumed characters.
-House animals indoors just before and during Halloween. This protects pets from pranksters who tease, injure, steal, or kill animals.
-Make sure pets are wearing current identification. Many pets get spooked and escape. Unfortunately they end up in shelters without identification.
-Keep pets away from costumed ghouls and goblins. Halloween bites are not uncommon. Even friendly animals may bite due to stress, fear, or protective aggression.
-Store and dispense candy so that it is not accessible to pets. Many treats are toxic and even lethal to pets.
-Avoid the liability that comes from dressing up your pet and sending the critter out trick-or-treating with kids.
-Don't dress up pets unless they love it. If you do dress them up make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. Avoid restriction of movement, vision, hearing or the ability to breathe or vocalize. Costumes should not contain small dangling accessories that could be consumed or cause choking.
-Restrict your pet's access to decorations. Jack o'lanterns with candles are obvious fire hazards, but cats can also get tangled in streamers. Pets can also become ill from eating holiday decor.

Guerrero concluded, "Halloween can be fun for all members of your family but avoid scary stories by taking some pet precautions to make it a Happy Halloween!"

"What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality" (ISBN 1893361845) is published by SkyLight Paths, a division of LongHill Partners, Inc.

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