{"id":186,"date":"2016-09-29T19:44:11","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T19:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/?p=186"},"modified":"2016-09-29T20:56:44","modified_gmt":"2016-09-29T20:56:44","slug":"october-2016-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/october-2016-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"October 2016 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Tricks to Treats: How to Keep Your Pets Safe on Halloween<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Halloween\"<\/a>
\nMost everyone loves Halloween. Between the costumes and all the treats you can eat, it\u2019s a great time for children, adults and pets. There\u2019s\u00a0ways to ensure your pets stay safe. From dangerous costume materials to toxic foods, it\u2019s important to keep your pets out of harm\u2019s way.<\/p>\n

According to the ASPCA\u2019s \u201cHalloween Safety Tips,\u201d remember to keep all that tasty candy away from pets. Your pets may want those tasty treats, but they can be downright deadly to them, and that\u2019s real scary! \u201cChocolate in all forms\u2014especially dark or baking chocolate\u2014can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause serious problems in pets,\u201d according to the ASPCA. If you fear your pet has gotten into anything toxic, contact your veterinarian or immediately contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.<\/p>\n

You may not realize the dangers Halloween decorations can pose to your pets. Be careful of wires and even a carved jack-o-lantern. According to the ASPCA, \u201cpets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire.\u201d Also remember that kittens are curious and easily can get burned by candle flames. The ASPCA also suggests keeping your pets away from pumpkins and \u201cdecorative corn.\u201d They may not be totally toxic to pets but they can cause an upset stomach.<\/p>\n

Your dog may look absolutely adorable in that Batman costume. And kitty may wow them in a Wonder Woman getup. However, costumes are not for every pet and \u201cmay cause undue stress.\u201d Unless you know your pet is up for that costume, the ASPCA doesn\u2019t recommend it. If the costume is a go, the ASPCA says:
\n\u2022 Ensure the costume does not limit \u201cmovement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow.\u201d
\n\u2022 Ensure the costume does not have any \u201csmall, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces\u201d that could cause choking.
\n\u2022 Ensure the costume fits correctly so that it does not \u201cget twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep your pet calm during the activities of Halloween, including when strangers come to the door. If your pets get too stressed out, it\u2019s best to leave them in another room. Always \u201cbe sure that your dog or cat doesn\u2019t dart outside,\u201d and that they are wearing ID at all times, just in case, according to the ASPCA.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

October is Dedicated to the Welfare and Care of Domestic and Wild Animals<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"African<\/a>
\nOctober is National Animal Safety and Prevention Month, an entire month dedicated to the welfare of animals, both domestic and wild.\u00a0National Animal Safety and Prevention Month was created by the PALS Foundation, which was founded to help \u201cpeople and animals coexist in a way that benefits all nature,\u201d according to Dog.com<\/a>. This special month was \u201cdedicated to promoting the safe practices of handling and caring for both domestic and wild animals.\u201d It recognizes the importance of animals and the roles they play in our lives, even to those without pets. It hopes to ensure \u201cthat they are treated kindly and with the respect and care they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Dog.com, there are a variety of ways in which to participate in National Animal Safety and Prevention Month. Here are some ideas:<\/p>\n