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Old October 31st 06, 07:38 AM posted to rec.pets.cats.health+behav
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Default Halloween Safety Tip for Cats

Halloween Safety Tip for Cats

Cursed with the reputation of being witches' helpers, reincarnated evil
spirits and bringing bad luck, the black cat has become symbolic of
Halloween, making this one of the most dangerous times of the year for the
feline.

Each Halloween a small number of black cats become victims of Halloween
pranks.

"Black cats are targeted because almost everyone is familiar with the cat's
reputation,

The black cat is so notorious for being associated with evil that it is
often the last one adopted at the humane society, she said.

Although some occults use the cat for sacrifices, most black cats are abused
by kids and young adults trying to turn the "black cat myth" into action.
Most of the time, these Halloween pranks lead to injury, abuse and the cat's
death.

"Bored teenagers, people who are just jerks and people who were abused
themselves are the ones who often go after the cats. "They often roam
neighborhoods right before Halloween, looking for black cats."

Although black cats are most often targeted for Halloween pranks, all cats
are at risk.

To prevent cats from being abused, many humane societies won't allow anyone
to adopt black or white cats the week before or after Halloween,

Costumed trick-or-treaters also present hazards for pets on Halloween."When
trick-or-treaters come, that in itself is a danger, "You might open the door
40 times during the night. One of those times, your indoor cat could slip
out the door. No one is going to necessarily hurt your cat, but it could get
hit by a car or get lost."

The Humane Society recommends keeping all pets confined indoors in a room
away from any Halloween excitement.

Offer kitty-friendly treats.

If your kids want your cat to share the fun of Halloween treats, try
offering any of these treats, instead of candy, as a Halloween special: a
dollop of canned tuna in oil; two tablespoons heavy cream or half-and-half;
an ounce or so of meat loaf; two or three sauteed chicken livers; two or
three shrimp, cooked orraw, with shells on; one-quarter cup boned boiled or
baked chicken. Remember, these treats are for special occasions and should
not be a part of your cat's regular diet! For further precaution, consult
your vet before presenting your cat with the treats.

With all the extra candy in the house, it is probable that your pet may find
itself trying to digest a wrapper. When a cat gets into something that's
supposed to be off-limits, she's likely to swallow it whole. This, of
course, presents other problems, but it's unlikely to lead to choking

One thing to be aware of while trick-or-treating is that some children may
have laser toys that are part of their costume, which could be dangerous to
your cat's eyes. The intensity of these laser light toys is insufficient to
cause damage by chance or even deliberate illumination of the eye.
"Certainly, if the cat and its eyes were perfectly still and the laser light
could be aimed precisely at exactly the same point on the cat's retina for a
significant length of time, the light could 'burn' the retina, but this is a
highly unlikely scenario.

Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin: Pets may knock it over and cause a
fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.

Your pet may enjoy Halloween more in a quiet room far away from the front
door. A radio turned on low, may help to drown out the noise and help your
pet feel more secure.This will ensure that they won t panic and escape when
bell-ringing trick-or-treaters arrive, nor will they become threatened or
aggressive at the sight of ghosts and goblins.

Your companion animal may look very cute in a costume, but be wary of pet
costumes that use rubber bands to hold the costume in place. If you
mistakenly leave rubber bands on your pet after the costume comes off, they
can quickly burrow into the animal's skin.

When in doubt remember it's always better to be safe than sorry!

Have a happy and safe Halloween!