Part of the fun of Halloween is a good scare. People love to celebrate with grotesque costumes, visit spooky haunted houses or enjoy an old-fashioned horror movie night.
We are able to enjoy this "scary fun" because we know that even if it unsettles us a bit, it doesn't come with any real risk of harm or danger. Our pets, however, don't have the privilege of understanding this.
Unfamiliar and scary-looking costumes, loud noises and hubbub, strangers appearing at their home and the ever-present threats of poisoning from treats or getting lost in the commotion are just a few anxiety-inducing components of the holiday our furry friends contend with.
To make things more frightening, many people still hold the belief that certain animals, specifically black cats, are in more danger Halloween night, as some have historically believed their association with bad luck and superstition makes them a target for harassment and even violence.
While this specific tip of wisdom may prove outdated, there is plenty of new information for keeping not only your cats but other pets safe during Halloween. Read the tips below for what to look out for while enjoying the holiday.
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Luckily, it turns out there’s no evidence to support the once commonly held belief that people go out looking for black cats to torture or sacrifice on Halloween, Emily Tolliver, Director of Communications and Design at Shelter Animals Count, told USA TODAY.
As previously reported by USA TODAY, black cats being associated with Halloween and bad luck goes as far back as ancient Egypt and Greece when they were seen as mythical creatures. In medieval Europe, the rise of witchcraft was associated with black cats, and they were also heavily blamed for spreading the Black Plague. Despite being associated with bad luck, black fur is a dominant trait in cats.
This means you're pretty likely to cross a black cat or two in your daily life.
"While the specific dangers to black cats around Halloween may have been relegated to urban myth status, there are real reasons to take extra precautions to keep cats of all colors safe during the week of All Hallow’s Eve", says Tolliver.
According to Tolliver, even without the truly diabolical dangers, cats and other pets may still face some unique challenges on Halloween night. While any potential pranks and tricks would more than likely involve toilet paper or smashed pumpkins, and not target pets, it’s best to keep cats and dogs indoors, especially during trick-or-treat time.
Even outside of Halloween time, many veterinarian and animal welfare groups advise against allowing cats outside indiscriminatingly and unsurprised, as they pose a risk not only to themselves but the environment at large. Free-range domestic cats are destructive invasive species that can majorly disturb local ecosystems and kill native plants and animals.
Research has also shown that outdoor cats have half or less the lifespan of indoor cats, as they are exposed to dangers ranging from cars and predators to inclement weather and undesirable human interactions. Researchers at University of California-Davis found that indoor cats may live 15 to17 years and even more, while the life expectancy for outdoor cats is only 2 to 5 years.
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While Halloween and Thanksgiving are the stars of the autumn show, there are hidden seasonal dangers that can pose a risk to pets through the entirety of fall.
Foods we may think safe to share like our roasted turkey, certain festive scents and event plants we bring inside can harbor lesser-known risks for pets.
Mums, also known as Chrysanthemum, for example, are popular in autumn but contain sesquiterpene, lactones and pyrethrins, which are toxic to cats, dogs and horses and can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination and dermatitis.
That hit of pumpkin spice scent you get from an essential oil diffuser can likewise be cause for concern, as accidental consumption or absorption through a pet's skin can cause digestive issues, neurologic problems, stomach ulcers, kidney and liver damage and even organ failure and death.
Check out our list of more popular seasonal items that could be dangerous for your pets.
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