Halloween is fun for kids of all ages, but it poses particular concerns for our pets.  With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can ensure your pet survives Halloween stress-free.

Gobbled Goodies

While it is not recommended that you take your pet trick-or-treating with you (see reasons below), there will be those pets that will show up at your door accompanying little trick-or-treaters.  It is a nice gesture to keep a special bowl of dog treats for those costumed canines that may visit.

All candy should be kept out of reach of your cat or dog to eliminate temptation and children should be taught not to share Halloween candy with their pet.  Tin foil, lollipop sticks and cellophane wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed so make sure Halloween goody bags are not left on the floor where a pet can get into them.

Chocolate in all forms can be dangerous for dogs and cats. If you suspect that your pet has ingested chocolate contact your veterinarian immediately.

Better Safe Than Sorry

Halloween is designed to be scary, but for your pet it can also be confusing, stressful, and overwhelming.  Don’t set your pet up to fail, leave them at home.

• Pets that are easily excitable or threatened by strangers should be kept away from the front door to keep them from biting or running into the street. Set up a barrier between your pet and the door so if they do make a dash to the door you will have time to catch them.
• Take your dog out for their walk early, preferably before dark, so that they will miss the crowds of costumed characters.
• Pets may become nervous and upset by a ringing doorbell, doors opening and closing, or the commotion of a constant stream of strange looking visitors.  Crating your pet, or locking your pet in a quiet room may be the kindest thing you can do.  A favourite chew toy or blanket may help ease the slight of being banned from the action.

Even if your pet is up for a fun night of trick-or-treating you will want to keep these tips in mind:

• Keep them on a very short leash to keep them from fighting with other scared or wary animals or biting strangers that may think it fun to scare your trick-or-treater.
• Be sure the dog has a legible ID tag.  If you do get separated it will be easier to ensure your pet’s return.
• Use a glow-in-the-dark type collar to ensure your pet can be seen to traffic.

Costumed Critters

Playing dress-up is not for all pets.  While you may think it is cute, it can be a stressor (or an aggressor) for some pets.  Please don’t put your pet in a costume unless you know he or she loves it.  And yes, some really do like the attention.

When dressing your pet, be sure to follow these safety tips:

• A costume should not interfere with your pet’s vision, hearing, breathing or barking.  Masks are never a good idea.
• Check the fit around the neckline to ensure it's not too tight.
• Watch for chewing, pawing, or signs of discomfort while wearing a costume.
• Choose a lightweight fabric that won't cause them to become over-heated.
• Avoid rubber bands which can cut off the animal's circulation or, if accidentally left on, cut into the animal's skin.
• Never use beads, dangling accessories or other small objects on a costume. Like with small children, you do not want anything to hang off the costume that they could trip on or chew and swallow.
• Make sure the pet can move about safely.  The costume should not drag on the floor.  Be sure your pet can walk without stepping on it.
• Never leave a pet wearing any kind of costume alone and unattended.  They could chew it and ingest harmful materials or become entangled and choke.
• If you see signs of stress, nervousness or anger, forget the costume idea.  Try a colourful Halloween print collar or bandana instead.

Festive Dangers for Pets:

• Remember pets are capable of eating just about anything including decorations.  While much of this may not be toxic, it may cause stomach upset, and remember what goes in, must come out!
• Be cautious with lighted candles and jack o’lanterns that can be knocked over by pets. Dogs with large happy tails and curious pups could easily start a fire or spill hot wax. Curious cats can be fascinated by a flickering wick, be sure that your cat doesn’t burn it's paws.
• Don't leave your pet outside alone on Halloween, even in a fenced yard. The constant barrage of odd looking strangers will greatly upset your dog.  If, for any reason, your dog must be tied outdoors on Halloween, ensure the chain cannot reach areas where children might cut across your yard.
• Do not leave dogs in cars.
• When walking dogs during or after Halloween, watch for bits of candy and wrappers on sidewalks and streets.

Perilous Pranks Hurt Pets

Every Halloween, pets are stolen, tormented, tortured, injured, or worse in malicious Halloween pranks. Halloween is a time when your pet should be kept safely inside your home.

Cats should be kept indoors several days prior to (and on the night of) Halloween. We've all heard the horror stories of cats being tortured on this particular night.   Be especially watchful of black cats, as they are frequent targets of cruel activities on Halloween.  No matter how much your cat is asking to go outside, absolutely keep your cat indoors.  If they roam free they become easy targets.  It is the loving thing to do.

Dog’s too become victims if left outside on Halloween night.  Many disappear as pranksters and those with darker intentions tease, abduct, torture, or even kill pets.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society wishes you and your pet a fun and safe Halloween.  Please plan ahead to make their night stress-free.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) reminds pet owners to keep their pets indoors whenever possible on cold days.  A fur coat does not exclude pets from frostbite and hypothermia, and Ontario’s laws require that animal guardians supply proper care and shelter.

How Cold is Too Cold?

• If it is below freezing, pets should not be left outside for extended periods of time.
• “Wind chill warning” means keep your pet’s time outside to a minimum.
• Bring them in if they are shivering, vocalizing, or doing the paw hop.
• Young and old pets or pets on medication can be more susceptible to the cold - keep them indoors as much as possible.

Toxic Temptations

• Ethylene glycol, found in anti-freeze and some brake fluids, taste sweet to pets but can cause death. Symptoms are stumbling, vomiting and acting as if they are intoxicated. Be sure to clean up spills and store it where pets cannot reach.  Watch for spills when out on walks.
• Wipe your pet’s paws to prevent them from ingesting salt or chemicals or use "booties".
• Christmas decorations and traditional holiday plants can be hazardous to your pet’s health.
  • Lilies used in floral arrangements can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
  • Holly and live mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if eaten by your pet.
  • Christmas tree water contains fertilizers or bacteria in stagnant tree water.
  • Poinsettias can irritate your pet’s mouth, cause nausea or mild vomiting.
• Monitor Christmas treats—all things in moderation, you don’t want a sick pet this holiday season.
  • Chocolate can cause death from heart failure in dogs and cats.  Dark chocolate is most dangerous, but chocolate poisoning can even occur if small amounts are fed repeatedly.
  • Milk products can cause pets to become ill as they lose their ability to digest lactose with age.
  • 'Bloat' is caused by too much gas or fluid in the stomach and could lead to your dog’s stomach flipping (rotation); a deadly condition.  Deep-chested dogs are most at risk, but rotation has occurred in dogs that have been allowed to eat too fast. Signs include: abdominal  distention,  salivating, retching, lethargy or a rapid heart rate.
  • Cold and flu season means medication. Keep all medication out of animals reach.

Always consult your veterinarian about any health concern!

Car Hazards

• Leaving your pet in the car in cold weather could cause them to freeze to death as a car holds in the cold.
• Cats seeking warmth often end up under the hoods of cars which could prove fatal.  Be sure to knock on your hood before starting your car.

Warmth is Welcome

• Keep pets comfortable and warm at night, try a hot water bottle.
• Coats and booties help your dog stay toasty warm.
• Don’t shave your dog down to the skin - a longer coat will provide more warmth.
• After bathing your pet ensure they are completely dry before allowing them outside.

Outdoor Pets

• The KWHS recommends that all pets be allowed to spend their winter days indoors.  However, those pets that do spend a great deal of time outside still need protection.  In particular, they need adequate housing and refuge from the cold.
• Cats and dogs that live outside require more calories in the winter allowing their body to generate heat.
• Check water dishes frequently to ensure it's not frozen or spilled over or opt for a heated and tip-proof bowl.
• Indoor-only animals may actually need fewer calories in the winter to avoid weight gain.

The Perfect Dog House is…

• An appropriate size for your dog, as dogs use body heat to heat the house.
• Built with weatherproof materials.
• Facing away from prevailing winds.
• Filled with straw bedding that is changed frequently.  Blankets and rugs freeze too quickly.
• Elevated 6 inches off the ground.
• Insulated with styrofoam, with a clear rubberized covering on the doors.
• Easy for your pet to get into.
• Built with a small hallway leading to a larger resting space.
• Do not use a heat lamp or other type of home heater as it may cause fires.
• On colder days allow the pet to come indoors.

Click here for plans to build the perfect doghouse!

Losing a family pet is stressful and heartbreaking but, more often than not, dismissed by others as 'no big deal'.  Despite public perception, your loss is real.  A pet can be more than ‘just a cat or dog’.  It is a member of the family and the loss of their companionship is painful.

Unfortunately our culture rarely allows the pet owner to grieve without feeling like they are over reacting.  Many employers don’t recognize the loss as something that deserves bereavement time and friends remark 'it was just a pet'.  The grief is real and your feeling of loss should be validated.

Making the Decision

Making the choice to say good-bye can be the most heart wrenching one you will ever have to make.    As pet owners we wrestle with the euthanasia decision.  Am I doing this for the right reasons?  Is this just financial or because it may be an inconvenience for me?  Am I keeping him on medication because I can’t let go?  Will he get better?  It is a time when we need to be objective for the sake of our animals.

Supporting a Friend

As fellow pet owners we need to provide an environment of non-judgmental support.  Who can say what amount of time is needed to grieve for a pet or how it should be expressed?  The best way to support a friend is to respectfully tell them you are sorry for their loss and let them tell you what they need. Your support as a friend is the most valuable to them.

Options When You Lose a Pet

The Kitchener–Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) provides many services for grieving pet owners including:

• Pet cemetery
• Columbarium
• Euthanasia and cremation services
• Paw print
• Pet urn
• A memorial on our website
• Stepping stones

Losing a pet is difficult; the KWHS hopes we can make it easier for you.  When the time comes for you to make arrangements, contact Arleen Lannan, Memorial Coordinator at (519) 745-5615 or info@kwhumane.com.

Download our Pet Cemetery Brochure

Cooler mornings and back-to-school ads tell us that soon our streets will be filled with loaded pick-up trucks and moving vans. With two universities and a college in our community, over 30,000 post-secondary students will be moving into town for school. The students, looking at life on their own and exploring all the possibilities available to them, will consider pet ownership to help ease the loneliness or the stress of a new life.  This decision is not one that should be made lightly.  Consideration should be given to what type of pet would be appropriate and what will happen to the pet once the school year ends.

'Pets are for Life' is our educational program aimed at making this audience more aware of all the issues involved with pet ownership, before they adopt a pet. Students can make great pet owners as long as they have thought through their decision. Pet ownership is a lifetime committment and should never be an impulse decision. Ultimately, it comes down to the question, 'Are you willing to make sacrifices to keep this pet for its life?'

Things to Consider Before Taking on Pet Ownership

Location:

• Most student housing facilities have a strict no pet’s policy in effect, are you willing to pay more or live farther from campus in order to keep your pet?

Time:

• Class, studying, socializing, spring break.
• Exercise, grooming, vet visits, house cleaning, play, safety, socialization, training.

Cost:

• Food, litter, vaccines, grooming, dog license, vet services, toys, boarding, obedience training, spay/neuter.
• A pet can cost between $600 and $3000 annually.

Your pet may live 10-20 years; are you willing to meet all your pet's needs for their whole life?

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