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A pet becomes a member of the family, like a child, and many pet parents don't want to leave their furry four-legged children out of all the Halloween fun. But before running out to buy Fido or Mr. Whiskers a costume, there are some things every pet parent needs to know in order to ensure that their adorable addition has a safe and enjoyable holiday.

While parties and lots of spooky dressed guests are fun for people, they can make some pets, especially cats, nervous and stressed. When hosting a ghoulish bash it's always best to give pets a closed of section that is off limits to guests. This way pets have somewhere familiar to hang out and get some quiet rest away from all the strange faces and noise of the party. This also helps prevent them from getting out and getting lost should someone leave a door open. Allow pets to make a brief appearance and then let pets retreat to their secluded suite. Pet parents should check in on pets occasionally and give them some extra attention and reassurance. Doing so will help keep pets calm and entertained without becoming stressed or anxious.

For fun with costumes there are a few comfort and safety measures to follow. The first thing is to make sure that the costume properly fits the pet. That means that the pet should be able to walk and move freely while wearing the costume. The pet should also be able to breathe normally and see completely when wearing the costume and any head piece that may come with the costume. If Fido is going to tag along for trick-or-treating, then the costume should have either reflective material or parts adhered to ensure proper night-time safety. Before outfitting a pet with the new costume, the pet should be allowed time to get familiar with the costume itself. This will help avoid frustration and stress for both the pet and the parent.

Pet parents might be tempted to let their furry baby try a sweet treat on Halloween but that can be very dangerous to a pet's health and even fatal to the pet. Pets should never be allowed to eat candy, especially chocolate which can be fatal to animals. However, there are various treats that are safe for pets to enjoy. There are even treats that can be made at home and baked fresh. Recipes for such specialty treats can be readily found on the internet. With the wide variety of pet treats available on the retail market, pet parents can choose to purchase different flavors to give their precious pet a special Halloween treat mix. Feeding pets before going out for trick-or-treating or before a party will help to keep them full and from eating any dangerous sweets that they may find on the ground.

Halloween can be a lot of spooky fun and pet parents can safely include their pets in the celebration as long as they remember that their pets health, comfort and safety comes first. Even if pets might not want to dress up for the occasion, there are many Halloween theme toys which pets can enjoy for some spooky playful fun of their own.

Learn more about this author, Gisela Perez.
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