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Halloween 2013 Safety For Your Cat

Rebecca Schmidt • Oct 30, 2013
The black cat with an arched back is a popular symbol of Halloween. In reality, Halloween is a very difficult day for many cats. The decorations, commotion, unfamiliar children, chocolates and candy wrappers all present added dangers and stress for your cat. You can make the day considerably less stressful by thinking ahead and being prepared on Halloween.

Decorations

Avoid decorations with excess string which can be ingested
Avoid low hanging decorations which can seem like a toy to your cat
Avoid open flames – use battery powered candles instead

A quiet place

The noises of the holiday and trick-or-treaters can be frightening to many cats. To keep them calm and lessen the chance of them slipping out an open door, set up a quiet room for them with the door shut. Pick a bedroom or other room away from the commotion and make that space as cat-friendly as possible:

Set up a sleeping place with your cat’s bed or carrier with bedding
Turn on the television or music at a low level to drown out excess noise
Have their food, water, litter box and toys available to them
If your cat is easily stressed use a pheromone diffuser or spray to help them relax

Tricks and treats

Most cats really hate wearing Halloween costumes. If you’re considering putting a costume on your cat during the holiday:

Try out the costume in advance to make sure your cat doesn’t get upset
Make sure the costume doesn’t restrict movement or sight
Make sure the costume does not present a choking hazard

It’s also a good idea to keep treats out of reach. Chocolate and some other candies are toxic for cats and wrappers can be a choking hazard.

Identification

Even when you are careful, your pet can slip out an open door and escape. Make sure your kitty has a microchip and your contact information is up to date with the chip company. If your cat will wear a break-away collar, invest in additional identification so he or she can be reunited with you if lost.
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