MEOWZ

Cursed with the reputation of being witches' helpers, reincarnated evil spirits and bringing bad luck, the black cat has become symbolic of Halloween, making this one of the most dangerous times of the year for the feline.

Each Halloween a small number of black cats become victims of Halloween pranks.

"Black cats are targeted because almost everyone is familiar with the cat's reputation,

The black cat is so notorious for being associated with evil that it is often the last one adopted at the humane society, she said.

Although some occults use the cat for sacrifices, most black cats are abused by kids and young adults trying to turn the "black cat myth" into action. Most of the time, these Halloween pranks lead to injury, abuse and the cat's death.

"Bored teenagers, people who are just jerks and people who were abused themselves are the ones who often go after the cats. "They often roam neighborhoods right before Halloween, looking for black cats."

Although black cats are most often targeted for Halloween pranks, all cats are at risk.

To prevent cats from being abused, many humane societies won't allow anyone to adopt black or white cats the week before or after Halloween,

Costumed trick-or-treaters also present hazards for pets on Halloween.

"When trick-or-treaters come, that in itself is a danger, "You might open the door 40 times during the night. One of those times, your indoor cat could slip out the door. No one is going to necessarily hurt your cat, but it could get hit by a car or get lost."

The Humane Society recommends keeping all pets confined indoors in a room away from any Halloween excitement.

1. Cancel the candy!
For pets, chocolate is a verydangerous, tasty toxin. It contains a compound called theobromine, which, like caffeine, is dangerous to cats when eaten in large quantities,  Baking chocolate, with nearly nine times more theobromine than milk chocolate, is particularly dangerous, but either kind can cause problems, she warns. A toxic dose of theobromine for a 20-pound dog is about 1,000 milligrams -- the amount found in 28 ounces of baking chocolate. To be safe, keep all chocolate away from your dog or cat! If you're not sure how much he ate, call your vet immediately for advice.

2. The importance of identification.
One of the most important things to consider if you are taking your pet trick-or-treating is to keep your pet identified! Get the animal an ID tag with your name and phone number on it or have your cat micro chipped the consequences may be much worse if your Cat is lost with no identification.

3. Keep Lady leashed.
If your cat is going to be accompanying you and your kids around the neighborhood, make sure you use a leash! Keep your pet under control. Nothing's more frightening than losing a pet in a strange place, or having her dart into traffic. To be absolutely safe, always attach the leash before you open the door, A leash is a great way to make sure that your pet stays by your side. However, make sure that you have control and are not being pulled.

4. Make sure meal time comes before trick-or-treat time.
Is Rex waiting for the candy to be thrown into his mouth rather than your kids' candy bag? To avoid having your pet be tempted by the abundance of candy on Halloween, feed your pet before the trick-or-treating begins.

5. Offer kitty-friendly treats.
If your kids want your cat to share the fun of Halloween treats, try offering any of these treats, instead of candy, as a Halloween special: a dollop of canned tuna in oil; two tablespoons heavy cream or half-and-half; an ounce or so of meat loaf; two or three sauteed chicken livers; two or three shrimp, cooked or raw, with shells on; one-quarter cup boned boiled or baked chicken. Remember, these treats are for special occasions and should not be a part of your cat's regular diet! For further precaution, consult your vet before presenting your cat with the treats.

6. Be on the lookout for choking hazards.
With all the extra candy in the house, it is probable that your pet may find itself trying to digest a wrapper. When a cat gets into something that's supposed to be off-limits, she's likely to swallow it whole. This, of course, presents other problems, but it's unlikely to lead to choking. If you can't remove the object, call the vet immediately; this is an emergency.

7. Keep a watchful eye on laser toys.
One thing to be aware of while trick-or-treating is that some children may have laser toys that are part of their costume, which could be dangerous to your cat's eyes. The intensity of these laser light toys is insufficient to cause damage by chance or even deliberate illumination of the eye. "Certainly, if the cat and its eyes were perfectly still and the laser light could be aimed precisely at exactly the same point on the cat's retina for a significant length of time, the light could 'burn' the retina, but this is a highly unlikely scenario.

8. Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin: Pets may knock it over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.

Be Safe! Have a Happy Halloween!

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