Imagine waking up from your afternoon nap and finding that your family has been replaced by aliens, witches, and monsters. Well, that’s how your pet may view Halloween. Pets can become confused when they hear a familiar voice that doesn’t match the face and may become aggressive if they are frightened. Below are some tips for enjoying a safe Halloween this year.
* Put animals in a quiet secure room away from Halloween activities.
*Ask family members to wait until they leave your home before putting on masks. Explain to your children that family pets won’t necessarily recognize them in a mask.
*Never leave pets outdoors, even in a fenced backyard. Pets have been stolen from porches and backyards by Halloween pranksters. Take special care if you own a black cat. (WHS does not adopt black cats during Halloween week for this reason.)
*Think long and hard before taking your dog trick-or-treating with you. While people wearing mask are one concern, you pet may also be frightened by the spooky sights or sounds of Halloween displays.
*If your children go trick or treating, make sure they know the signs that a dog could attack: ears held back, teeth bared, fur standing on end or growling.
