PETA expert shares tips for an animal-friendly Halloween
Stuttgart. Next Thursday is Halloween. The spooky custom originally comes from Ireland and has only become established in the USA and now also in Germany. Similar to St. Martin's singing, children and young people in particular go from house to house in disguise and collect sweets – colorful decorations are also part of the process for many people weeks beforehand. But as much fun as Halloween promises, the festival can be dangerous for animals. Jana Hoger, PETA's specialist for animal companions, has put together some tips for making Halloween animal-friendly.
“The very sweets, costumes or decorations that make Halloween so special for people can be harmful or even fatal to dogs, cats and wild animals,” says Jana Hoger. “The custom can also frighten animals. But if a few things are taken into account, you can also celebrate in an animal-friendly way.”
PETA expert gives tips
- Chocolate, candies and chewing gum can be toxic to animals: People should therefore keep these items – and their indigestible packaging, which can lead to dangerous intestinal blockages – out of the reach of dogs and cats. This means, for example, no decorative bowls of sweets on the coffee table.
- Keep dogs and cats at home: People in costumes and loud children can overwhelm, frighten and cause erratic behavior in even the friendliest and safest dogs. Cats can also get scared and run away, for example. On Halloween, the safest place for dogs and cats is their own home.
- Costumes for animals are a no-go: Tight Halloween costumes can cause animals to stumble, confuse them, restrict their movement and vision, and in the worst cases, even suffocate them. A festive, loose-fitting bandana is a safer option for less anxious dogs, but it's best for animals to wear no clothing at all.
- Create a calm environment for animals: Dogs and cats can become stressed by the doorbell ringing at night and, in the worst case, even run out the front door while people are busy handing out candy. To avoid this, the animals should be provided with a safe place to retreat: This can be a familiar place with a favorite blanket or a quiet room in which the animals can relax. It is also important that dogs and cats are chipped and registered in a pet register so that they can be matched with their human if the worst comes to the worst.
- Keep decorations natural: Pumpkins, cucurbits, corn stalks, hay and leaves are non-toxic and environmentally friendly – but corn cobs can cause intestinal blockages in dogs. Some fabrics and paints used for colorful decorations are toxic to animals.
- Minimize sources of danger: Animals (and children) can burn themselves on jack-o-lanterns and candles; If they are knocked over, there is also a risk of fire. In addition, animal residents can swallow small parts – this can lead to blockage of the digestive tract and be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to place all decorations out of reach.
- Leave out fake cobwebs: Not only can wild animals get caught in the thin threads, cats also find them tempting – and if the material is swallowed, it can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage.
PETA wishes everyone and animals a stress-free Halloween!