In reading Dr. Nancy Kay's blog today, SpeakingforSpot.com, I came to realize what an unpleasant experience Halloween can be for many of our furry companions. First of all, people are walking around or coming to the door dressed in scary masks, white sheets, and other costumes that can be downright terrifying. If your pet has a fear of strangers, this parade of ghouls to their front door can be traumatizing.

Secondly, pet parents often dress up their furry kids in costumes thinking they look adorable and what a cute picture this will make. That may be true for us but most animals prefer their birthday suits. Pet costumes can be uncomfortable, cumbersome, itchy and downright humiliating. If you must get a picture, put the costume on, snap the picture, and then take it off again.

Thirdly, when trick -or -treaters come around  knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell continuously, this can be very disturbing for pets, causing kittens and cats to go run for their favorite hiding spots and causing dogs to bark continuously as they protect their home.

It goes without saying that opening and closing the door numerous times during the evening offers the danger of escape for your dogs and cats. Do you really want to chance that one of them may get out.

Another pet hazard of Halloween is the abundance of candy and particularly chocolate that is available. Chocolate can be toxic to cats and dogs depending on the amount consumed and you definitely don't want to have to deal with a medical emergency caused by the  kitty or dog getting into the candy bowl.

All in all, Halloween is a fun holiday for humans but pets should be kept out of it. Dr. Kay makes a few great suggestions to keep your furry kids safe:

1) Keep the pets confined to an area of the house away from the door

2) Provide a help yourself bowl of candy outside the front door

3) Board your pets on Halloween night

4) Turn off your house lights and skip the holiday altogether.