It’s Halloween and a fun time for kids and adult alike but is it a fun time for our pets? We dress them up take them out to parties, parades etc but we must ensure that they are kept safe at all times. Pet MD has put together a comprehensive guide to pet Halloween safety. Please take a look at their article right here to make sure that you have their safety covered.

Halloween can be a festive and fun time for children and families. But for pets? Let’s face it, it can be a nightmare. Skip the stress and keep your pets safe this year by following these 10 easy tips.

1. Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets.

All forms of chocolate—especially baking or dark chocolate—can be dangerous, even lethal, for dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Halloween candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures. “Xylitol ingestion can also cause liver failure in dogs, even if they don’t develop symptoms associated with low blood sugar,” adds Dr. Jennifer Coates, veterinary advisor with petMD. And while xylitol toxicity in cats has yet to be established, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

2. Don’t leave pets out in the yard on Halloween.

Vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Inexcusable? Yes! But preventable nonetheless. Black cats are especially at risk from pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. In fact, many shelters do not adopt out black cats during the month of October as a safety precaution. Make sure your black cats are safely housed indoors around Halloween.

3. Keep pets confined and away from the door.

Indoors is certainly better than outdoors on Halloween, but your door will be constantly opening and closing, and strangers will be on your doorstep dressed in unusual costumes. This, of course, can be scary for our furry friends, which can result in escape attempts or unexpected aggression. Putting your dog or cat in a secure crate or room away from the front door will reduce stress and prevent them from darting outside into the night…a night when no one wants to be searching for a lost loved one.

4. Keep glow sticks away from pets.

While glow sticks can help keep people safe on Halloween night, they can add some unwanted drama to the holiday if a pet chews one open. “Thankfully, the liquid inside glow sticks is non-toxic, so it won’t actually make pets sick,” Coates says, “but it does taste awful.” Pets who get into a glow stick may drool, paw at their mouth, become agitated, and sometimes even vomit. Coates recommends that if your pet does chew on a glow stick, “offer some fresh water or a small meal to help clear the material out of the mouth.”

5. Keep Halloween plants such as pumpkins and corn out of reach.

While small amounts of corn and pumpkin can be fed safely to many pets, ingesting uncooked, potentially moldy Halloween pumpkins or corn displays can cause big problems. Gastrointestinal upset is a possibility whenever pets eat something they aren’t used to, and intestinal blockage can occur if large pieces are swallowed. Coates adds that “some types of mold produce mycotoxins that can cause neurologic problems in dogs and cats.” So, keep the pumpkins and corn stalks away from your pets. And speaking of pumpkins…

6. Don’t keep lit pumpkins around pets.

If you are using candles to light your jack-o-lanterns or other Halloween decorations, make sure to place them well out of reach of your pets. Should they get too close, they run the risk of burning themselves or causing a fire.

7. Keep electric and battery-powered Halloween decorations out of reach.

Electric and battery-powered Halloween decorations are certainly safer than open candles, but they still can present a risk to pets. Pets who chew on electrical cords can receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock or burn. Batteries may cause chemical burns when chewed open or gastrointestinal blockage if swallowed. Shards of glass or plastic can cause lacerations anywhere on the body or, if swallowed, within the gastrointestinal tract.

8. Don’t dress your pet in a costume unless you know they’ll love it.

If you do decide that Fido or Kitty needs a costume, make sure it isn’t dangerous or simply annoying to your pet. Costumes should not restrict movement, hearing, eyesight, or the ability to breathe. Coates warns that pets who are wearing a costume should always be supervised by a responsible adult so that if something goes wrong, it can be addressed right away.

9. Try on pet costumes before the big night.

Don’t wait until Halloween night to put your pet in a costume for the first time. “Any time you want to introduce your pet to something new, it’s best to go slowly,” Coates says. Get your pet costumes early, and put them on for short periods of time (and piece by piece, if possible). “Make it a positive experience by offering lots of praise and treats,” Coates adds. If at any time, your pet seems distressed or develops skin problems from contact with a costume, consider letting him go in his “birthday suit.” A festive bandana may be a good compromise.

10. IDs, please!

If your dog or cat should escape and become lost, having the proper identification will increase the chances that he or she will be returned. Collars and tags are ideal if a Good Samaritan is able to collect your wayward pet, but microchips offer permanent identification should the collar or tag fall off. Just make sure the information is up-to-date. Use Halloween as a yearly reminder to double check your address and phone number on tags and with the company who supports pet microchips.

Remember, your pets count!

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Feral cats are the ones that survive outdoors. They are continually hunting and looking for food. These cats may seem like they need a good home. Cat we ever really tame a feral cat? My cat Mollie came from a family of feral cats that lived in the swamps behind my apartment complex. I found her when she was only 5 weeks old.  She lived her whole life indoors in a comfortable, loving home. If you have other pets, how will this feral cat get along with them?  First, lets talk about the taming part. Animal behavior experts say that some feral cats can adapt to domestic life.  Prepare yourself for some touch and go moments and maybe even some disappointment.  Chances are, you missed that early socialization period.  The first weeks of a kittens life are the ones where they learn to deal with others, including humans. A feral kitten will adapt easier than a full grown cat. On the other hand however, a feral cat may just adapt better with the pets in your home.  It’s life in the wild has taught it the survival value of cooperation. So give it a try. In a few weeks, you may see your new pet playing with his cat toys and enjoying his life indoors!

Remember, your pets count!

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In a world that is so divided, where people have become so addicted to technology that they’ve lost all methods of communication except by that of their fingers,  we discover that people whom we think we know, exhibit disappointing behavior that leaves us empty and wanting to cling to our own comfort zones. In many cases that comfort zone is our pets. A pets unconditional, unchanging love provides us with peace and consistency in our lives. People change, deceive and disappoint constantly that as I get older I find myself spending more and more time alone or at home with my cat Millie. I  sometimes  actually  am more comfortable by myself. I go where I want, do what I want and don’t have to deal constant disappointments. Pets provide peace, harmony and unconditional love all the time. They will never disappoint. That’s a reason why my partner and I love and treasure our pets and will eventually add to our pet family, stay tuned!

Remember, your pets count!

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Sometimes you’ll see articles regarding pets and the sale of a house. One article that I read several years ago had the following title:

Don’t Let Your Pets ruin the sale

I was immediately turned off by the headline but went ahead to read the article. The article basically said that by having pets in the home could cause problems with a sale of a house and the Realtor recommended  boarding them during the time that the property is up for sale. Some things that she said did make sense like:

• Removing pet stains from furniture and runs.
• vacuum thoroughly
• Make sure that you pet name and characteristics are on the listing sheet.
• Make plans to keep your pet in his crate or in a separate area of the house during showings
• Remove odors if any exist.
• Make sure that doors are not left open during showings if the owner is not home. When I sold my home, I discussed the fact that I had a cat. A big note was posted to the door telling the real estate agents and prospective buyers not to leave any doors left open and to close the door behind them.
• If a dog is present, the owner must be home during the showings.
• Keep dog , cat beds and accessories in the appropriate places, not in the middle of a room.

Pets are part of our families and a part of our lives. It takes months to sell a home and the comment about boarding your pets during this time is really being cruel to the animal. I realize that having children and pets could slow down the process a bit but hey, they are a part of our lives. If a Realtor insisted on me getting rid of my pets during the time that my house was up for sale, I would just find another Realtor. The Realtor also mentioned that you could include your pets as part of the sale!!!  I really think that this women does not like pets. Our pets are not like pieces of furniture and her insensitive remarks made me question her qualifications.  My feelings, if you take the time and prepare properly and have a plan for your children and pets during showings, your house will sell. If someone likes it, pets won’t turn them off and if they do, they would probably be very very difficult buyers who will drive you nuts during the process anyway.

Remember, your pets count!

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Are you ready to add a furry little friend to your family? The first thing you think of is where is the best place to adopt? Where do I start looking?  Realsimple.com has put together a great article that will help to solve your problem. There are many places to consider and this article may help you get going. We wish you luck in this process.

Did you now that over 40,000 pets perish each year because of house fires and other disasters such as floods or hurricanes?  Cats run and hide very easily and this makes them difficult to locate them in the event of a fire or quick evacuation. I would recommend that you keep their pet carrier close at hand and close to the door. At least you won’t have to worry about searching for it if you need to get out in a hurry. Don’t spend too much time, I know this is difficult, but in the event of a fire, every second counts! If you can’t find you cat, leave it to the experts, just get out fast.

You should let rescuers know that there is a cat inside that needs to be rescued. Do this by purchasing decals that say “In case of a fire, please rescue cat.” Put them in a few prominent places and keep them there at all times.  Having a decal on the door or windows will let firefighters or police know right away that there is a pet inside that needs help!  These few seconds could mean life or death of a pet member.

Always have a plan that includes the rescuing of your pet in the event of a fire or other disaster.

Remember, your pets count!

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The weather is finally getting cold. Now we have to make sure that our dog is protected when outside. It’s very cool and windy here on Delmarva today and I just saw a Greyhound being walked with a warm blanket like coat on him. Some dogs are more sensitive to cold weather than others. Make sure you take the proper steps to protect your dog this winter. Pets.WebMD has put together a thorough guideline on how to protect your pets this winter. Make sure you this article as your checklist!

Even if your dog has a thick, heavy coat, he might still feel chilly in the winter. Pets are just as likely to get frostbite (frozen skin and tissue) and hypothermia (low body temperature) as their owners.

But it’s easy to protect your pooch from the cold. Many of the same safety measures you take for yourself will keep your best friend safe and warm.

Limit time outdoors. No dog — not even the toughest Arctic sled dog — is meant to spend huge amounts of time outside in the winter. A thick coat doesn’t protect all body parts.

“Their ears are exposed, their paws are in direct contact with cold cement, their nose is sticking out there in the wind,” says K.C. Theisen, director of pet care issues at the Humane Society of the United States. “Never leave dogs outside unattended for any length of time. Only take them outside if they’re going to be active and exercise.” Even then, you may need to shorten a walk if it’s really cold.

Dress him warmly. Small dogs and those with short hair need extra help when there’s a chill in the air. Puppies and older canines also may find it hard to control their body heat.

“A sweater or coat can be a really nice addition that makes the pet more comfortable,” Theisen says. But leave his head bare. “If it’s so cold that you think you should cover their head, you probably shouldn’t go outdoors.”

To keep your pal’s coat healthy during the winter, bump up the protein and fat in his diet.

Wipe down his paws. Ice, snow, salt, and toxic chemicals like antifreeze and de-icers can build up on your dog’s feet. If he licks them, he could swallow the poisons. Antifreeze, in particular, tastes sweet but can be deadly.

Make sure you wipe his paws down with a towel every time he comes inside, Theisen says. Also, check his pads regularly for injuries. Ice and snow can cause painful cracks and bleeding. Trim the hair between his toes to prevent ice buildup.

You love to hug and kiss your dog but when he lays a big sloppy one on you, you turn away in disgust because his breath is awful. What can we do to cure this problem? Take a peek at your dog’s teeth. Flip his upper lip up to show his upper and low molars.  Are the teeth white and shiny or are they yellow and brown?  If they are yellow or brown, your pet may have plaque buildup or gingivitis.  He could even have advanced periodontal disease.  You need to take him to the vet if this is the case.

If this is not the case and his teeth are still white, prevent the problem by:

• Brushing your dog’s teeth daily. Ask your vet for a doggie toothpaste. There are lots of flavors like beef or chicken that will entice your pet.
• Give dental dog treats on a regular basis.
• Feed a dental diet. Some products include ingredients to freshen breath and remove plaque.
• There’s a new vaccine to prevent periodontal disease. Ask your vet if this would benefit your dog.

Take the time to prevent the problem before it starts. Give your dog regular visual check ups.

Remember, your pets count!

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In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the Sea Witch Festival takes place next weekend. One tradition is that many people dress their dogs  in all sorts of great costumes. There a dog parade on the Sunday of the event. I always  notice lots of Miniature Schnauzer’s dressed as everything from princesses to political figures. I thought that I would provide some information about the Miniature Schnauzer today.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a small sturdy dog with a square head. They are very intelligent, active and happy dogs. They get along great with children and really enjoy being around “their” people.  The are loving, affectionate and docile animals. The Schnauzer makes a very good family pet.  They cannot sense that they’re stronger minded than their owners or they won’t  listen. So you must be firm with them.  These dogs are easy to travel with as they love to go on trips with you.  Don’t  overfeed them because they tend to gain weight easily.

The Miniature Schnauzer makes a good apartment dog. They will be calm indoors as long as they get plenty of exercise.  Take them for long walks on their dog leash but be sure that you’re the leader and that they get enough exercise.

Their life expectancy is about 15 years and they usually don’t show signs of old age until late in life.

Their wiry coat  isn’t hard to groom. Comb and brush them daily with a short wire brush to prevent matting.

The Miniature Schnauzer is a German breed. During the turn of the century both smooth German Pinscher’s and coarse hair Schnauzer pups appeared in the same litter.

Remember, your pets count!

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