For most of us, Halloween will always be an awesome holiday, and what's more fun than putting on a wig or furry ears and wearing it to work (or just around the house)? Getting your pet to join in on the celebration! Of course, in 2010, we not only want to have a fantastic and safe Halloween with our pets, we also want to be eco-friendly. Is such a combination possible? Of course! Below are 13 (oooh, spooky!) tips on having a safe and eco-friendly Halloween With Your Pet.
13) If you've got a young puppy or other high-strung animal, it's probably a good idea to keep him or her in a comfortable room in your house with the door closed and maybe even a little white noise. Too many doorbells or kids screaming "trick or treat!" might cause your furry friend to become anxious or scared.
12) Make sure you feed your pets before the Halloween festivities start. Lots of commotion can upset habitual time clocks and even cause pets to forget to eat.
11) Buy a few special dog or cat treats for the Halloween weekend – that way your animals won't feel so left out while everyone is enjoying all that candy, and will probably be less likely to beg. Finding extra yummy treats is no problem with PETCO's great selection!
10) If your pet hates costumes – consider simply dressing up by yourself. Some pets - just like people! - would rather sit the costume part out.
9) If your pet is okay with costumes and is sociable, consider dressing up like twins. Bandanas, bowties, matching socks, even underwear worn on the outside make fun, simple costume ideas!
8) When you're coming up with that fabulous – yet simple – pet costume, make sure you don't put anything on Fido or Midnight that's going to obstruct their vision. Animals get very uncomfortable when they can't see.
7) Stay away from any costume that may constrict your pet's breathing or blood flow, or comes with too much glitter / baubles that could be inhaled or swallowed. This probably means staying away from anything remotely related to Lady Gaga.
6) If you want to buy a costume for your pet – PETCO has some great ideas, but one way to make that choice eco-friendly is to mix homemade ideas with purchased costume pieces. By combining homemade pieces with store-bought pieces, you can feel good about boosting the economy and recycling! Check out PETCO's Halloween Shop for other spooky Halloween accessories for your pet.
5) Candles create a spooky atmosphere, but make sure to watch your furry friends around any open flame. Keep candles above pet level and always blow them out before you leave a room.
4) Watch your lovable, curious kitties around pumpkins – especially if you light them with the aforementioned candles.
3) Consider keeping outdoor animals inside during the prime Halloween witching hours. Even the most well meaning trick or treaters could disorient your pet. For additional safety, check out PETCO's nighttime safety shop!
2) Do the planet –and your pets' digestive systems – a favor. Recycle any and all candy wrappers as soon as you're finished with them.
1) And the number one thing you can do to make this an eco-friendly and safe Halloween for your pet? Keep any and all chocolate out of their reach. Chocolate is just awful for animals and can make them very, very sick. Keep your holiday drama free by saving all that yummy goodness for the kids that ring your doorbell – and a few extra pieces for yourself.
Rick Rockhill
said on October 23, 2010