Howl-a-ween Costumes: Safety Tips for Our Pets


Our alpha gal, Harley, is getting into the spirit of the spooky season. She loves all the glowing orange jack-o-lanterns and festive decorations around the house; especially the lighted ceramic black cat…to which she tips her head in curiosity as I “meow”…yes, I really did. I almost lost that ceramic cat to a ready-to-pounce Sibe, so I won’t be replaying that joke again!

Since it is that spooktacular time of the year, which just happens to coincide with National Animal Protection & Safety month (see my earlier blog entry), I’d like to take a few moments to discuss Halloween Safety Tips for Pets. Please keep these in mind, whether you do a dress rehearsal of your canine character now for some photo ops, or on Halloween day/night, that while dressing up furbabies can be fun and entertaining for some Hu-family members, it could be dangerous for the animals. Here are some pet Halloween costume tips to help keep the festivities safe:
  • Never, ever leave pets dressed in costumes alone. Not even for a minute.
  • Be sure to check if the costume is flame retardant/resistant.
  • Be very careful of anything that ties around the pet’s neck or leg, or any part of its body. Ties can become tight, thereby cutting off circulation and causing swelling or a worse injury.
  • If the animal decides the costume looks yummy (everything to a Sibe looks chewable), it could become a choking hazard or parts of the chewed costume could cause an internal blockage. Some glues and chemicals used in and on the costumes could also be poisonous if ingested.
  • Pets in costume could become entangled in and on things both in and out of the house.
  • Certain pets – such as Siberian Huskies – do not tolerate the heat well. Be careful not to dress them in too heavy of a costume or keep it on them for too long, thereby causing them to overheat.
Preparing for Halloween can be almost as fun as the day itself for both pets and their Hu-families. For more tips, check out About.com: Veterinary Medicine. And, as with all things, let's remember to exercise caution and simple common sense so our beloved pets stay safe and happy this Halloween season. 

And while you're here visiting, why not do a Blog Hop? Check out some of these other great reads:

Comments

  1. Yoda_the_DogOctober 9, 2010 at 1:45 AM

    Here's my safety tip: mom you try to put a costume on me again this year and someone will get hurt! Just say NO!

    ReplyDelete
  2. D.K. WallOctober 9, 2010 at 8:08 AM

    Or you could take our approach. Live so far out in the middle of nowhere that we have never seen a trick or treater. Highly recommended.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Neyland D. CatOctober 9, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    Just popped in from the Blog Hop! I was forced to wear a Halloween costume one year. A little cape. Yeah. Like I was a little cat super hero. Let's just say that all parties involved decided never to speak of it again.

    Cheers,
    Neyland D. Catt
    The Fictitious Cat

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kristin G.October 9, 2010 at 11:33 AM

    Thanks so much for visiting! So nice to meet all five of you, great looking Huskies!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Pup FanOctober 9, 2010 at 1:37 PM

    Stopping by on the blog hop... thanks for sharing these excellent tips!

    ReplyDelete
  6. FANCY the Red Standard PoodleOctober 9, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    Hi Y'all! Just came hoppin' by to wish y'all happy Halloween!
    Hawk aka BrownDog

    ReplyDelete
  7. Granite State Pet SittingOctober 9, 2010 at 8:14 PM

    Thank You for all the Halloween hints! we are your newest follower from the blog hop. Check us out at http://www.lifewith5dogs.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. SagiraOctober 10, 2010 at 7:20 PM

    Thanks for all the tips. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. SukaOctober 12, 2010 at 11:46 PM

    Those are great Halloween costume tips! I have never been dressed up for Halloween...and somehow doubt that I ever will, but it is good to know in case my human tries to put something on me!

    I love this spooky time, too!

    Suka

    ReplyDelete

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