Ghosts, Goblins, and Spooky TAILS

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the fun and festivities of Halloween—the costume parties, haunted houses and ghost stories are enough to make any adult feel like a youngster again. It’s a celebration for everyone—regardless of age or species. But before you go guising for goodies on All Hallows’ Eve, consider your four-legged family members. Are Fido and Fluffy prepared to take on the frightful night?

The added décor, crafts and costumes may seem like festive and necessary additions to prepare your home for Halloween, but even a slight change in your pet pal’s environment can spook your once fearless furry friend.

While there are many creative and unique costumes available—even for animals—it’s important to keep safety and comfort in mind, before your pet goes from pup to pumpkin. Some may say that it’s crucial to keep up with current pet trends to avoid committing a fashion “faux-paw,” while others will agree that Fido and Fluffy’s comfort is the top priority—even if it your pet pal goes sans-costume this Halloween.

“It can be fun to dress up your pet for Halloween, but it’s important to remember that animals don’t typically wear clothes for a reason,” said John D’Ariano, president of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). “Clothes and costumes made for pets are often designed for style and entertainment—not necessarily comfort. If you choose to accessorize your pet with anything other than its usual collar this Halloween, be sure you are selecting a costume that fits properly and doesn’t restrict the pet from moving.”

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), only a small percentage of the country’s resident pets will be participating in the Halloween festivities this year; about 15% of the 165 million cats and dogs across the US will be found sporting spooky (or sassy) attire on October 31^st. A 2011 survey revealed that the majority of the costume-wearing pets on Halloween sport the traditional pumpkin suit. Other pet costumes include a hot dog, a devil, and a four-legged pirate.

To help pet parents prepare their furry friend for the frightful night, NAPPS offers these tips:

• When decorating, choose wisely. Avoid using loose streamers and strings that can be tempting to pets. Be mindful of your pet’s favorite spot to relax and save the decorations for other areas in your home.
• Make sure your pet pal is wearing a collar and current ID tag—with the front door opening several times throughout the night, there’s a chance your furry friend may slip outside.
• If your pet tends to be spooked by the doorbell, disconnect it for the night to encourage knocking on the door.
• Keep all goodies out of your pet’s reach. When trick-or-treaters aren’t at your door, it’s best to store candy in the cabinet, away from curious pets.
• If you choose to take Fido out for trick-or-treating, be sure he’s sporting his leash!

About NAPPS: NAPPS is the only national non-profit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of professional pet sitters. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as “the most respected authority in professional pet sitting.” It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. Additionally, pet parents can benefit from NAPPS’ free resources including a disaster preparedness guide, tips on how to select a pet sitter, nationwide referral service, and quarterly teleconferences aimed to educate the pet owning public. To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS’ nationwide “Pet Sitter Locator” at www.petsitters.org.  For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.