Halloween is great fun for (most) humans but can be a stressful time for cats. There is a lot of chocolate, sweets and decorations around the home, all posing risks to our feline friends.
Halloween Decorations
Decorations can be a lot of fun, especially for younger, playful cats. It is important to monitor your cats and ensure that they can’t get into trouble especially when they are home alone. Decorations can cause injuries and pose potential, life threatening situations if they are ingested. To protect your pets, experts recommend that all decorations are positioned well out of the cats’ reach. Think about how the cat could gain access and avoid placing near to pieces of furniture that cats could use to investigate the new objects decorating the home.
Toxic Chocolate
Chocolate contain theobromine, which is toxic to cats and other animals. It does take a large amount of theobromine to kill an animal, but even small amounts can make a cat ill. The symptoms include:
- Hyperactivity, lethargy
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Place all chocolates and sweets in a secure place such as a cupboard or closed off room in the home. When chocolates are being enjoyed in the home it’s important to keep a close eye on your cat to ensure they don’t have a nibble or two.
Opening the Door
Halloween can be a busy night, with neighbours knocking on the door for several hours. If you have an indoor cat you may need to place them in a secure room to avoid them escaping out the door. Many cats will run and hide in the home, but there is a risk that some will run out due to curiosity or nervousness.
Cat Runs and Catios
Halloween is close to Bonfire Night and often fireworks will be used over the weekend. Keep cats calm and feeling secure by bringing them into the home during the evenings until a few weeks after Halloween and Bonfire Night has passed. Cat fences and cat containment systems will stop cats running off scared and getting lost or injured, but the loud sounds and flashes of light can still cause stress. Keeping the cats inside is the best way to ensure your cats are not stressed.
Follow us on Facebook and share your autumnal cat photos with us. We love to see photos of your cats enjoying their secured gardens and homes throughout the year.