With Halloween happening on Saturday, it's a good time to think about the animals in your care and their safety at night.
Firecrackers, fireworks and other loud noises, as well as plenty of little-people traffic in and out of the house, can be upsetting to animals and even lead to harm.
"Fireworks going off, a constantly ringing doorbell and the presence of costumed strangers can all cause animals to panic, putting both pets and people in danger," said BC SPCA community relations manager Lorie Chortyk.
When dogs and cats are frightened they are more likely to run away from their homes, jump out of open windows or dart into traffic.
Stressed pets can also behave out of character - even scratching or biting people.
It's not only companion animals who are at risk.
"Frightened farm animals have even been known to run into barbed-wire fences or other obstructions. With a little planning, guardians can take steps to keep all their animals safe on Halloween," Chortyk said.
Here are some tips:
- Keep pets inside
Pets that are inside have fewer opportunities to confront trick-or-treaters.
Some pets do well left in a separate room with the radio or television on to mask the sound of fireworks and trick-or-treaters.
Be sure to leave plenty of toys in the room for your pet so that it doesn't think it's being isolated as a punishment.
If your pet finds the doorbell disturbing, consider disconnecting the doorbell for the night. Alternatively, you can leave a bowl of treats near the door outside where trick-or-treaters can help themselves.
That way, they won't knock or ring the doorbell - at least not until the bowl is emptied.
Identification
- Make sure your pet is wearing identification.
Dogs and cats may try to run away if they feel threatened.
Clear, current identification is your best chance to have them returned to you.
- Candy is for people
Candy can lead to health problems such as diabetes or obesity, and chocolate is especially dangerous because it contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats.
Keep treats well away from your pets.
- Leave home without them
If you think it would be fun to bring your pet trick-or-treating, your pet may not share your view. The strange sights and sounds of Halloween can cause a normally friendly dog to bite if it feels scared or threatened.
- Don't costume your pet
Dressing your dog in a costume inhibits its ability to communicate, making it prone to display aggression or be subjected to aggressive behaviour from other dogs.
