5 ways to keep your cat safe at Halloween
Cat owners know autumn as the season of Halloween and Bonfire Night, when we take extra care to ensure that our pets are safe and sound as the nights draw in.
While the costumes, treats and tricks can be great fun for us, they can pose dangers for your cat. To make sure your cat has a safe season, here are five important things to remember:
1. Keep the treats for yourself
Do not be tempted to share your trick or treat haul with your cat as these sweet treats are very bad for them. Chocolate is toxic to cats and sweets can make them unwell. Keep sugary snacks safely out of your cat’s reach and treat them to calming fuss or a play session instead.
2. Make sure decorations are cat-safe
When making your home like a spooky lair, be mindful of which decorations could cause harm to your cat. Curious kitties can become tangled in fake cobwebs, chew through the wires of fairy lights or try to climb on hanging decorations. The best advice is to keep decorations out of your cat’s reach, especially any naked flames, such as those illuminating carved pumpkins.
3. Don’t dress them up
If you give yourself a scary makeover, it can be tempting to want to dress your cat in a cute outfit too, but they won’t enjoy it as much as you think. Being confined in clothing is very stressful for cats and they could injure themselves as they try to get free. They’d much prefer a cosy Halloween-themed blanket to snooze on, or a safe new toy to play with.
4. Keep cats in at night
Cats are generally more active at dusk and dawn and dark autumn evenings can be especially dangerous for cats. There is an increased risk of them being injured on the roads, not to mention the stress of noisy parties, bonfires and firework displays. Cats Protection recommends keeping pet cats indoors at night. It’s a good time to ensure that they are microchipped and that their details are up to date, just in case they escape and go missing.
5. Give them somewhere to hide
If you are expecting visitors or trick or treaters at your door, your cat might find it stressful. Make sure they have somewhere quiet to hide indoors, as this will help them feel calm and safe. Reserve a peaceful room for them and provide a cardboard box for them to hide in.
Cats Protection has more seasonal tips, including how to keep cats safe and warm during these colder months, at www.cats.org.uk/keeping-your-cat-safe
