Halloween Safety Tips for Your Cat

Halloween can be a dangerous time for some cats. Outside cats may be harassed by people in the mood to play tricks, and indoor cats can become stressed by the extra noise and commotion of trick-or-treating and parties. People wearing costumes are scary to many cats, and the treats that are around can pose extra risks for toxicity to our feline friends.

Here are some tips for keeping your cat safe and happy during Halloween season.

Create a Safe Room

If you are going to have a party or open your door repeatedly for costumed trick-or-treaters, creating a cozy enclosed space will help keep your cat safe and calm. A small room can work well for this purpose.

Make the room a special, quiet place for your cat. Be sure to fill it with everything your cat will need to stay calm and safe, including:

• Clean litter box
• Food
• Water
• 
  Cozy cat bed
• Scratching post
• Hiding spots

Playing soothing classical music in the safe room can help relax your cat and also drown out potentially frightening noises.

Reconsider the Cat Costume

Some cats are highly stressed when you put costumes on them. Others don't seem to mind. If you are going to try a costume, go slowly and watch for signs of distress from your cat, which may include:

• Hissing, scratching, or biting
• Freezing, crouching low, and widening the eyes
• Rolling over, showing the belly, and freezing
• Running around the home in an attempt to get away from the clothing

Also, be sure not to use any costume on your cat that includes string, ribbon, or other loose material that may catch on something and cause a strangulation or strangled limb risk. Also, strings and ribbons are a risk for cats that ingest them because they can cause life-threatening intestinal obstruction.

Keep ID on Your Cat

Cats that become frightened often run away and hide. If you are opening and closing the door for trick-or-treaters or having a party with people coming and going, you must be concerned that your cat might escape. Using the safe room is the best idea because your cat will be safely confined. If you're having a party, be sure to place a sign on the door to let people know that it should remain closed because your cat is inside.

Still, it's best to be prepared for any eventuality, so keep a breakaway collar with your current contact information on an ID tag on your cat.

Holiday Treats Are Not for Cats

Cats should not have chocolate or xylitol, which are both common in Halloween treats. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can have negative effects on a cat's heart and neurological systems.

Less is known about the effects of xylitol on cats, but it is toxic to dogs. It causes a dangerous dip in blood sugar and can result in liver failure at certain doses. It is likely that xylitol can cause a similar problem for cats. Xylitol is a common sweetener used in many sugar-free products for humans.

Keep Halloween treats out of reach of your cat.

How to Make Halloween with Your Cat Special

With so many cautions and concerns, you may feel like Halloween can't be a fun time for you and your cat. Don't worry; there are ways to make this a special time for both of you.

Fun, Halloween-themed toys are cute for you, and their newness is exciting for your cat. Check out the Halloween catnip toys we have: Halloween Cat Toys.

You can also get Halloween color combinations for your cat's Soft Paws®, to increase the festivity of the season in your home.