Pets and Halloween

Features

October 24, 2009

By Joyce McNally The McAlester News-Capital Sat Oct 24, 2009, 01:24 PM CDT

Next week is Halloween. It’s a great holiday for kids, but it can be hard on pets if you don’t take some precautions. Think safety. Keep your pet safely indoors, away from noisy groups of small ghouls and goblins and away from the door where it can accidentally escape as you open the door for trick-or-treaters. If you are the one doing the trick or treating, it’s best to leave your pet home. All the extra kids, parents, and even vehicles can cause a safety issue if you have your pet on a leash. Kids love animals and always have a tendency to want to run up and pet them. If your pal isn’t used to being around children, it may feel uneasy and growl or snap at the child. Halloween is supposed to be a fun time, so let’s leave the pets at home.

Do you know that pet costumes are the latest Halloween craze? Can you resist dressing up your pet in those cute little hats and witches capes? I’ve seen some doggy costumes that are really cute, but be careful if you dress up your pal. Make sure your pet can move freely and won’t stumble over the costume if it drags on the floor. The costume should not be something that is tied around the neck. You wouldn’t want your pal to choke or strangle if you have it tied around his neck and it gets caught on something.

When the porch lights go out and all the witches and goblins go home be sure you’re your pet doesn’t get into the candy bucket. Candy can make a pet sick or may be lethal.

Chocolate contains a stimulant called Theobromine, which can make both dogs and cats very sick. If too much is eaten, it could even cause death. Dog treats and catnip toys work best and your pal will be very content if you share these types of treats instead of candy.

The best way to show your dog that you love him is to think safety, just as you would your child. Make sure he gets his shots and you use flea, tick, and heartworm prevention every month. In this part of the country, it doesn’t get cold enough to kill the fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes so it’s important to add these meds to your monthly regimen. And most importantly, put a nametag and phone number on its collar so you can be found if your pet gets away. Microchips are also available, so talk to your veterinarian about having it done.

October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog” month; so if you are looking for a special addition to your family, stop by the Pittsburg County Animal Shelter at 1206 N. West Street. The phone number is 423-7803

Text Only

Features

Alexix Futisha is named Little Miss Choctaw
McAlester’s Alexis Futisha has been named Little Miss Choctaw for District 11.

May 28, 2012 1 Photo
10 Things to Know for Wednesday
2. FINANCIAL REGULATORS PROBING FACEBOOK IPO
They want to find out whether the bank that handled the sale, Morgan Stanley, selectively informed clients of an analyst’s negative report on the company before the stock started trading. Facebook stock has since dropped 18 percent.

May 23, 2012 4 Stories
10 Things to Know for Tuesday
3. JOPLIN, MO., MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF TORNADO THAT KILLED 161
Obama’s speech praising residents for their “bigness of spirit” precedes events today that include a community walk through the path of the twister and a moment of silence at 6:41 p.m., the precise time it hit.

May 22, 2012 3 Stories
What the dog said
May 19, 2012
10 Things to Know for Wednesday
1. NATION’S NUCLEAR REGULATORS SCALE BACK EMERGENCY READINESS
An overhaul of emergency planning near U.S. reactors requires fewer exercises for accidents and recommends fewer people be evacuated right away.

May 16, 2012 3 Stories
Poll: Half of Americans call Facebook a fad
Half of Americans think Facebook is a passing fad, according to the results of a new Associated Press-CNBC poll. And, in the run-up to the social network’s initial public offering of stock, half of Americans also say the social network’s expected asking price is too high.

May 15, 2012 2 Photos
Study: Phone co customer satisfaction evens out
Improvements in customer satisfaction at Sprint Nextel Corp. and AT&T Inc. have narrowed differences among the Big 4 wireless carriers to the point that they’re basically even in terms of pleasing their subscribers, according to a study released Tuesday.

May 15, 2012
10 Things to Know for Tuesday
1. U.S. ADOPTS STRATEGY FOR FIGHTING ALZHEIMER’S
The Obama administration today sets a 2025 deadline to find effective treatments and perhaps even a way to prevent the mind-destroying disease that afflicts 5.4 million Americans.

May 15, 2012
At the movies
Showing at McAlester's Cinema 69 Movie Theatre, according to www.mcalestercinema.readyhosting.com: "The Avengers," "The Pirates: Band of Misfits," "The Raven" and more.

May 9, 2012 3 Photos 1 Story
10 Things to Know for Wednesday
4. North Carolina voters approve amendment that slams door shut on gay marriage
More than 60 percent of voters approve the measure defining marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman.

May 9, 2012 4 Stories
More Features Headlines

A recent study of southern tornadoes has found that storm shelters did not protect them. Where do you take shelter when tornadoes threaten?

Features

Search Results

Pets and Halloween

A recent study of southern tornadoes has found that storm shelters did not protect them. Where do you take shelter when tornadoes threaten?

Site Map

Contact Us