LITTLE ROCK — DEAR READERS: Some pet owners enjoy dressing their pets in funny costumes for Halloween, but your pets should feel safe and happy on this night. Here are a few hints from our friends at the American Society for thePrevention of Cruelty to Animals (aspca. org) and from the Heloise Files for a safe Halloween:
If your pet does wear a costume, makesure that it fits well, or dress the animal in a black-and-orange bandanna or bow.
The constant ringing of the doorbell, strange people showing up and unusual noises can be stressful for your pets. Be sure that all inside animals are comfortably contained in another part of the house so they don’t run out. Make sure they are properly tagged and microchipped with identification in case they do get out.
Candy is terrible for animals - especially chocolate, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Treats for your pets on this night? Carrot pieces, apple slices or their favorite biscuits. Keep candy wrappers picked up, too; dogs may be attracted to the scent and ingest them, which canlead to blockage.
If you decorate for Halloween, keep electric cords up and away from pets so they don’t chew on the cords or cause a tripping hazard.
Have a great and fun Halloween, and keep your pets safe!
DEAR READERS: Healthy cats can eat any brand of cat food, as long as the food is balanced and nutritionally complete. However, we all know how picky cats can be. If your cat has specific dietary needs, there are special foods available. If you’re concerned about what to feed your cat, speak with your veterinarian. Do not feed cats dog food, because it is not formulated to meet a cat’s dietary needs.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail
HomeStyle, Pages 44 on 10/30/2010