R.I.P.P. Pit Bulls

Halloween can be a fun time for the entire family including the dog ! Yet Halloween can also bring many  potential dangers, and strees on our 4 legged friends.

Guests and Trick-or-Treaters:

Many dogs love to have visitors and to meet new friends. However many dogs can become fearful of people that are dressed up in scary costumes, having lots of kids running, screaming and yelling and looking like various monsters and characters can be quite scarry and very stressfulfor a dog. Even the doorbell ringing over and over as they come begging for candy can also start to stress out the dog. Remember to not leave your dog outside unattened for any reason during this time. Kids dont always "think" and if they decide to start teasing your dogs, or even just trying to pet the dog on the other side of the fence without permission and your dog is scared or becomes uncomfortable this is an opportunity for a bite to occur. Not to mention the fact that people have been known to quite frequently intentionally harm, poision and tease animals.

*May be a good idea to find a quiet and safe area in the house to put your dog while trick or treaters are coming and going.

*make sure your dog is wearing a current and up to date I.D. Tag (many dogs will become nervous and scared and run away)

*May think about putting a gate in the door way or hallway to avoid any escapees running out of an open door

*If you have a dog that has very high anxiety when it comes to visitors, loud noises, doorbell ringing etc.....talk with your vet about administrating sedatives to reduce and anxiety and fear.

Haloween candy can also be very harmful to your dog, make sure to keep all candy out of reach of your 4 legged friends. Make sure to explain to the kids that the dogs are not to have any candy and explain the consequences.

If you own cats and they go outside remember that people can be very cruel and do horrible things to

 cats during halloween. During Halloween shelters across the nation take in more injured and abused cats during the month of october than anyother throughout the year. Bring your cats indoors just for the night if possible or lock the cat in the garage out of harms way. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAT OUTSIDE