HALLOWEEN TIPS and SAFETY HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Halloween can be fun, but there are a few important things to keep in mind to help keep pets safe.
A reminder: NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE SURE YOUR PETS ARE WEARING CURRENT I.D. TAGS and ORDER NEW ONES IF YOUR TAGS ARE HARD TO READ!
This year we wanted to mention the dangers of fake spiderwebs commonly used for Halloween decorations. When strung outdoors, they can be very dangerous to wildlife that can get entangled (more info here). Insects, squirrels, song birds, even owls, can become fatally entangled. Please consider skipping the use of fake spiderwebs. This article lists some eco friendly alternatives.
Decorating with these fake webs indoors might not harm outdoor wildlife, but they can be a danger to our pets as well. "The stretchy, stringy synthetic web material is basically catnip for a cat's hunting instincts, irresistible to bat at, pounce on, and yes, chew. And that's exactly why cats love it soooo much. Cats are notorious for swallowing string like material, and fake web material behaves very similarly once ingested. It can get caught in the digestive tract and cause a serious medical concern where surgery may need to be considered." -VCA Emergency Facebook
You may have noticed our front window display is adorned with fake spiderwebs this year. We thought seriously about our use of them and contemplated taking them down. We decided since no pets live in this space, and the webs are indoors only, that it would be safe for our fluffy customers. We decided to leave them up on display, and use this as a good opportunity to discuss the dangers and negative impacts these decorations pose. We will not be using them in the future and will look for safer alternatives.
Please click on this link to read about: How to make it a successful holiday for your pets. Help to prepare your dog to feel more comfortable with scary monsters at the door. If you have a new puppy, this preparation can be an excellent socialization exercise. Being aware of sources of toxicity (besides chocolate) that you might overlook. As a bonus, there are cute dog breed stencils for pumpkin carving!
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