Halloween is no Treat – Please Protect Your Pets Pets are dependent upon us all of the time, so during Halloween, we have to take a few extra measures to insure their safety.  If you have any pets that live outdoors, please bring them inside your home on Halloween.  Bring all cats indoors a few days before Halloween until a few days after.  You may consider bringing all black cats and all white cats inside for the whole month of October.  Never give chocolate to a dog as it can be fatal.  If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, consult your veterinarian immediately.   The constant ringing of the doorbell can be stressful to many pets.  Also, the costumes of the children can be frightful to the dogs because dogs have no depth perception.  Gate your pets in a room where they can see the Trick or Treaters and remember it is natural for the dogs to bark.  You may want to put your dog on a leash and have someone hold the leash in a room where the dog can see the children but never tie up a dog.  If this is still too much stress on your pet please put your pet in a room with a person and shut the door.  If you take your pet along trick or treating, it is best to keep them on a very short leash to keep them from fighting with other animals, or biting children or adults they encounter. Remind your children not to pet any dogs without asking the owner for permission first.  When a child is in a costume, do not pet any dogs.  Even your own dog will not recognize his human family if you are in a costume or have a mask on your face.