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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 2017)
10 Wednesday, October 25, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Paw Prints Jodi Schneider McNamee Columnist Make Halloween safe for your pets Halloween can be loads of fun for kids and adults. And as spooky little monsters, ghosts and ghouls begin their trick-or-treating, it can be the scariest night of the year, especially for your pets. For all the fun Hallow- een offers for kids, it can be unsettling and even danger- ous for pets. But here are some common-sense precau- tions to keep in mind for your furry friend’s safety this year. Not only will your door be constantly opening and closing on Halloween, but all those ghoulish costumed humans intending to look scary that come to your door may actually be frightening to your four-legged fam- ily member. Your dog or cat doesn’t understand why so many creepy creatures are heading to their home full of energy and yelling out for candy! Pets are instinctively pro- tective of their home and can get freaked out when kids are disguised in costumes. And it’s a prime time when dogs and cats can get out of their house with all the restless anxious energy that they feel around Halloween time. It’s enough to make dogs and cats go running — some- times right out the door. Hal- loween is a prime time when Rover and Kitty can get out Keep your beloved pet out of the Halloween candy. It can be toxic. of their homes. Always make sure your by 12 percent during the hidden treasure. Contact dog or cat has proper identifi- week of Halloween. your veterinarian right away cation. If for any reason your Most of the calls involve if your pooch gets into the pet escapes and becomes lost, pets accidently ingesting candy, especially if it con- a collar and tags can be a life- candy. Any candy is bad tains chocolate or is sugar- saver, increasing the chances enough, but chocolate is one free and contains xylitol. that he will be returned to you. of the most toxic to pets. If you do decide to dress And because dogs are pro- Dogs are especially attracted your pet in a costume this tective of their home, they to the smell of chocolate, year make sure it isn’t annoy- can also get anxious and making it a significant threat. ing or unsafe. Pet Hallow- growl when they see kids are Other candy treats that een costumes can be cute in costumes. contain plastic sticks, like lol- and festive, but you’ll want Because dogs and cats lipops, can be harmful, even to be certain that they don’t may do unpredictable things deadly, if swallowed by your have small parts which pose when they’re scared, please furry friend. Cellophane and a choking hazard or impair keep them tucked away in a foil wrappers also are poten- your pets breathing or hear- quiet and safe room on Hal- tial hazards that could get ing. And pets that do not loween. Even if your furry gulped down along with the like wearing a costume can friends are used to being out- Halloween candy. become quite stressed in the doors, keep them indoors on Kids love to stash candy effort to remove it. Also, be Halloween night. in their rooms, and a dog’s aware of elastic and other Calls to the veterinarian at keen sense of smell will lead costume fasteners that can Pet Poison Helpline increase him to even the most cleverly become caught on your pet. PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER MCNAMEE Brightly lit Jack o’ Lan- terns are wonderful to look at and very tempting for your pet to notice too. It’s the same with candles in the window — very dangerous to a kitten or puppy that’s drawn to the flame. Not to mention how a knocked-over carved pump- kin with a lit candle inside could be a fire hazard! Don’t wait to have your pet treated in the case of an emergency. Locate a 24-hour veterinary clinic if your fam- ily vet is not available. Do not hesitate to con- tact the 24-hour Pet Poison Helpline immediately at 1-888-426-4435 if you sus- pect that your furry friend has ingested something or might be injured. It’s a Sisters Furry Friends HOWL-O-WEEN! FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27 5 to 7:30 p.m. Fundraising fun at The Nugget Newspaper er 442 E. Main Ave. $ 10 - 5 ALL $ ndation Friends Fou y rr Fu to s e 100% go GET A JUMP ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND SUPPORT FURRY FRIENDS! CUTE DOG HALLOWEEN COSTUMES Local vendors (donating up to 20% of purchases to Furry Friends Foundation) will be on hand with jewelry, bags & purses, makeup, leggings and more! Superheros, dresses, bugs, and more! Many for small dogs, a few medium and large, too. FURRY FRIEND S 501 ( c )( 3 ) FOUNDATION 541-549-9941 FurryFriendsFoundation.org Personalized photo pendants funky charms, inspirati onal jewelr y ... vintage styles at afford able prices! E WI LL SOMEON ROE WIN LULA GINGS! G E L T A C TC
