With Halloween just around the corner, Alley Cat Allies is sharing critical knowledge on how to keep cats and kittens safe. The spectacular, spooky atmosphere of the holiday is good fun for people, but can cause stress and even harm to cats if care isn’t taken.
Alley Cat Allies’ Halloween Safety Tips for Cats outline the most important ways to ensure the cats in our lives have a happy Halloween night, too.
Here’s how you can keep cats safe on Halloween:
1. Keep the Halloween treats away from cats
No Halloween candy should be shared with cats and kittens. Chocolates and any candies with xylitol are especially toxic for cats. Candies can also pose a choking hazard, as can their wrappers. So, keep the candy bowl out of reach of cats and pick up any fallen candy or wrappers immediately.
Find a list of common substances toxic to cats and a guide on how to address poisoning at alleycat.org/Poison. If you think a cat has eaten something dangerous, call your veterinarian, an animal hospital, or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-213-6680.
2. Set up a calm and quiet room for cats
The trick-or-treaters, Halloween party guests, and general sights and sounds of Halloween night can be extremely stressful for cats. So, creating a space where cats can feel and be safe is important.
Set up a room in your house where cats can relax as the festivities ensue. Be sure the room can be closed off and, ideally, is a space the cat already enjoys. Provide access to water, litter, and their favorite cat bed or toys, and play calming music. If cats are particularly nervous, consider a calming pheromone spray.
Check on the cats throughout the night!
3. Microchip your cats and keep registered information up to date
If by chance a cat darts out the door between trick-or-treaters, their microchip could bring them back home to you!
Make sure your cats and kittens are microchipped and that your registered microchip information is up to date. This important technology will help you reunite with your cats should they become lost. Learn how microchipping saves lives.
4. Take care with your Halloween decorations
Keep any decorations that include wire or string that can become wrapped around cats’ limbs or necks out of reach, or keep a close eye on your cats around them. Corn husks, fake berries, dried wheat or corn, or other fall “natural” decorations can be dangerous if ingested. Fake webbing can also pose a risk of choking or blockage.
Make sure your jack-o’-lanterns use battery-powered candles instead of real ones! Any fire should be well out of reach of roaming paws.
5. Don’t force Halloween costumes on cats
Cats generally find costumes and other clothing restrictive and stressful, and their comfort is more important than cute photos. If your cat or other pet is comfortable being included, make sure their costumes don’t restrict their senses, breathing, or movement.
6. Track your community cats
Community cats are savvy and will avoid all of the hustle and bustle of Halloween night. However, it’s always best practice to track the community cats you care for! And when the night is over, you can be sure everyone is safe in the following days. We have a community cat colony tracking system that can help.
We hope you and the cats you care for have a safe and very happy Halloween!