rap #277 10/20/08
NO BONES ABOUT IT - TAKE THAT COSTUME OFF OF FIDO
FIDO AS FRANKENSTEIN?
Forget about it.
Cute little fluffy Rex as a Tyrannosaurus Rex?
Better think again.
Dressing up a favorite pet for Halloween may seem like a perfect photo opportunity, but your four-legged friend
may have other ideas.
"If you do dress your pet, be sure that it’s costume doesn’t interfere with the animal’s ability to breathe,
, hear, move and if appropriate, bark," said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. "Dog and cat costumes can also have
loose strings that can cause the pet to trip and injure itself."
And there are other, even more serious threats to pets come Halloween.
Chocolate may be a delicious treat for a young vampire, but for a dog it can be fatal.
Chocolate interferes with a dog’s red blood cells and can cause lethal breathing problems.
"With strangers in strange costumes knocking on doors and homes suddenly filled with sweet treats and potentially
deadly candy wrappers, Halloween can be a scary time for pets," Vicari said.
The American Veterinary Medical Association released a list of safety tips to ensure that pets remain safe this Halloween.
- 1. Don’t leave your pet outside on Halloween or on the days leading up to the holiday. Halloween pranks committed against
pets can be vicious. Black cats are particularly at risk.
- 2. Keep pumpkins out of reach of animals. Curious paws could topple a lit pumpkin, possibly causing a fire.
- 3. Consider keeping your pet in a separate room when trick-or-treaters call. This will also prevent your pet from trying to
escape through an open door when the ghosts and goblins knock.
- 4. Always make sure your pet is wearing proper identification in case it does escape.
"Following these simple guidelines will mean your pet will stay healthy and safe during the holiday," Vicari said.
