We want Halloween to be fun and safe for the entire family. Be sure to follow these safety tips to ensure your feline family member is safe during this spooky holiday.
- Bring outdoor cats inside about a week before the 31st. This will give them the chance to adjust to the indoors prior to the holiday. Cats in particular can be subject to torment and abuse from hooligans on Halloween, so be sure to keep them inside and safely away from such danger.
- Keep indoor and outdoor cats in a separate room, without access to the front door. Your front door will be opening all night long to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters or allow in guests and your cat may seize the opportunity to bolt out the door.
- Keep candies and decorations out of reach. Chocolate and xylitol (an artificial sweetener used in some gums and candies) can be fatally toxic to cats while lit pumpkins can result in burns.
- Make sure your cat has proper identification. This includes a collar with an up-to-date ID tag and even a microchip implant. These will help your kitty return home if they do get outside for a “Halloween adventure.”
- Place an orange collar with ID tags on your cat. The Kitty Convict project is a movement to dress indoor cats in orange to signify to other people that your cat has escaped and is supposed to be inside.
- Try on costumes ahead of time. If you decide your feline companion just needs an adorable costume, make sure that he/she is okay with it and it fits well. This means that the costume should not limit mobility, breathing, hearing, or the ability to meow. Your pet may even be allergic to the material, so you will want to make sure your cat tries on the costume in advance to make sure it meets all of these criteria.
- Do not adopt a cat (or any animal) as a prop for your costume just to dump them on November 1st.
- If you see a cat (or any animal) in a dangerous situation this month, be sure to contact your local humane society, SPCA, or animal control!
With these tips in mind, we hope you and your cat can enjoy the holiday! Maybe your cat will think Halloween isn’t scary at all! If you do have a medical situation with your feline, be sure to give us a call at 216-749-7161. Whether you think your cat ate some chocolate or you’ve found a cat who escaped from their home, we can help. Set up an appointment for your cat today and our caring team will do our absolute best for you and your cat.