4 Halloween Safety Tips for Your Cat Because They Deserve More Treats Than Tricks
Halloween in San Francisco is full of color from trick-or-treaters in the Inner Sunset, to scary block parties in Noe Valley (only because you might trip on a stroller), to maybe one day again the Castro Halloween Party (oh please, Mayor Lurie). While us humans are living our best pumpkin-spiced lives (sorry Kai Ryssdal – even though I’m with you on this), our feline friends might not be feeling quite as festive. Between flashing lights, endless doorbells and suspiciously crinkly costumes, Halloween can feel more like a horror movie than a holiday for cats. Here are a few ways to keep your whiskered camper calm, comfy, and safe during this Halloween season.
1. Keep the candy for the humans!
Who can resist a tempting bite of Dandelion Chocolate – especially during the spooky season? Chocolate and artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are dangerous for cats. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, tremors or worse. Keep candy bowls and party treats out of paw’s reach. Don’t forget that candy wrappers can be tantalizing to kitties too, so keep those stashed away even during scary movie binges!
2. Beware the open door!
Halloween trick-or-treating in the City can mean chaos at your front door. Strangers in masks and constant doorbells are feline nightmare fuel! Set your cat up in a comfy space in a closed room if you’re planning on dishing out treats to the neighborhood gremlins.
3. Spooky candlelight looks festive…until a tail or whiskers get too close!
Those flickering candles might look amazing on your Bernal Heights stoop, but they can be risky for whiskers and tails. If you just can’t resist that traditional eerie flicker, go for LED candles or fairy lights instead. They’re just as atmospheric and Mr. Fuzzy Britches won’t get singed for the sake of “Setting the mood”.
4. Decorations can be deadly!
Many of us love to go all-in when it comes to holiday decorating. San Francisco homes may be small, but we all know our cats can find EVERY surface. If you’ve got curious critters in the household, those stringy fake spider webs and sparkly tinsel garlands make for some tantalizing playthings, or worse, a forbidden chew toy. If ingested, decorations like these can lead to serious intestinal obstructions or internal lacerations, so best to keep the dangly bats and silly string out of kitty’s access.
Make This Halloween Purr-fectly Safe
Whether you live in a busy apartment near Market Street or a quiet home in Glen Park, keeping Halloween low-stress for your cat just takes a little planning. Halloween should be fun, not frightening, for everyone in the house – two- and four-legged family members alike. Closing the curtains, playing relaxing sounds, and offering extra snuggles will help keep your whiskered sidekick safe and un-spooked.
If you’re traveling or hosting a big costume party, consider giving your cat a calming staycation at Pet Camp’s Cat Safari – San Francisco’s only feline-exclusive overnight boarding retreat. Located in a renovated Victorian home, Cat Safari offers private campsites and enriching play areas far from the hustle and bustle of city life – the perfect place for your cat to spend Halloween stress-free.
Thanks for reading and have an amazing Halloween!
Pet Camp has been providing award winning pet care since 1997. Certified Green and family owned, Pet Camp is proud to be a San Francisco small business. If you are a San Francisco Bay Area pet parent in need of overnight care for your dog or cat, dog day care, dog training, pet bathing or transportation – give us a call at chat with one of the counselors.