Safety tips for cats during this spooky holiday
By Midge Raymond
Halloween conjures images of ghosts, goblins witches — and, of course, black cats. Yet all cats are vulnerable during Halloween events and festivities, and we caretakers must take especially good care of our felines during this time.
If your cats are indoors only, this is a great start; they are already safe from outdoor hazards and predators — and our local bird population is safer, too. But if you’re decorating the interior of your house, make sure there’s nothing your kitty can ingest (like those fake spiderwebs) and avoid any choking hazards (like the plastic spiders that come with those webs). Also, keep Halloween candy out of their reach — even if your cat doesn’t have a sweet tooth, the little wrappers are crinkly, and these make fun toys for cats. (If your cat does eat something they shouldn’t, call the ASPCA poison control line for help and information.)
For indoor cats, it’s best to keep them closed in a quiet, safe room on Halloween night while you’re opening the door for trick-or-treaters — this will prevent them from escaping outside when the door is open. And, once the kids stop ringing the bell, you can give the cats their own appropriate treat as a reward.
If your cats go in and out of the home, bring them inside on Halloween, which will keep them safe from strangers, traffic and mischievous humans.
Whether your cats are indoors only or indoor/outdoor, microchips are essential for identifying a lost or wandering kitty. Your vet can provide a microchip (a tiny chip inserted by needle with an ID number), or check out the Friends of the Animals low-cost microchip clinic.
As cat people know, cats do as they like — and the vast majority of cats do not like being dressed up; it is beneath them. So, let your cats have their dignity, even on this most festive of holidays.
Some cats, however, are a little more open-minded about fashion, so if your cat does deign to wear a little something decorative, proceed with caution and respect their wishes. Don’t ever force them into a costume — and if you do slip on a tiara or a pair of sunglasses, get your photos quickly and free them as soon as possible. Costumes are adorable on cats, but only for a few moments (especially once they learn you’re taking blackmail photos). If they dislike what they’re wearing, remove it immediately; they could get injured trying to free themselves. And never dress up a cat who could escape while wearing anything other than an ID collar.
Wishing you all a happy, safe and festive Halloween!
Ashland resident Midge Raymond is co-founder of Ashland Creek Press and author of the novels “Floreana” and “My Last Continent” and co-author of “Devils Island.” Email suggestions and questions for Catty Corner to her at [email protected].
