Halloween can be a great fun occasion for all, a time to dress up with fun scary costumes and masks not only for us humans but also our pets

However …

Halloween can be a scary time for cats. People walking around in costumes, knocking on doors, and wearing silly masks can scare even the bravest of pets.

Unfortunately, Halloween can also be a dangerous time for cats. Items in your home can pose hazards to your pet, while mischievous trick-or-treaters can cause harm. Keep an eye on your feline during this time of year, to make sure she’s as safe as she can be.

>Find a great selection of pet halloween costumes here

There are items that you may set out in your home during Halloween that you don’t use at other times of the year.

Candles are one specific item that show up more frequently during this season. Candles are easy to keep out of a dog’s reach, but cats can get to them no matter where they are.

Even more dangerous, candles that smell like food are even more inviting to the curious kitty. It is not necessary to put up all your candles, but you do have to be extra careful.

Try to set the candle in a place where your cat does not visit often. If possible, set it on a surface that is not large enough for your cat to jump on. If your cat can reach the candle, then try not to leave the candle and the cat unattended for an extended period of time. If you are leaving your home or the room for longer than a few minutes, blow out the candle and relight it when you return. It is also not a good idea to place candles in your windowsills. Cats love to look out the window. Even if she doesn’t bother the candle, her tail may be targeted by the flame as she sits in the window.

In addition to candles inside your home, don’t forget about the ones that you put inside the pumpkin.

If you allow your cat to go outdoors, then a candle in a pumpkin can be a big problem. The best thing you can do is to pay attention to the cat and the candle. Once again, try to place the pumpkin on a table or chair that is not large enough for your cat to jump on. Make sure you blow out the candle before you go to bed.

Having trick-or-treaters come to your home can scare your pet. A cat may not want to greet every guest, but the constant opening and closing of the door can be enticing. The second you turn around, she could bolt out the door. It is a good idea to keep your kitty in another room of your home or put your pet in a cat enclosure of some kind while trick-or-treaters are out and about. Give her a few treats and something to keep her occupied. It is better to keep her out of all the commotion than to take the chance of searching for her all night long.

It seems like all the mischievous children and teens seem to come out on Halloween. We’ve all heard horror stories of poor animals that have become the victims of Halloween pranks. Black cats are especially targeted during this time. If you keep your cat outdoors or allow her to venture outdoors (whether she’s black or not), then it’s a good idea to bring her in during the holiday. If you do not want to keep her inside your home, then try to find a place in your garage or carport. Remember that all the trick-or-treaters don’t hit the neighborhood on the same night; the holiday can last all week in some cases. So, it is a good idea to keep the cat inside once people start moving around the neighborhood.

You have to be careful with candy wrappers around your cat. Each cat is different, but, in many cases, the cat chooses to use the candy as a playtime instead of a mealtime. The candy wrappers can cause a choking hazard to your feline, so try to keep them out of reach.

Halloween is a fun time, but it can be dangerous for your feline. You must be careful with candles, door openings, candy, and neighborhood children. If you keep an eye on your kitty, then your Halloween holiday can run smoothly.

This article was provided by the authors at pet-super-store which is an online pet website featuring great deals on pet carriers.

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Halloween is nearly upon us and everyone is racking their brains to try and come up with the perfect costume for themselves. But what about your pet cat? Shouldn’t they be joining in the family fun? This year there is a huge selection of ideas for pet costumes and here are just a few.

Love the Flintstones cartoon? Now, there’s a Flintstones pet costume – Dino, the Dinosaur! This costume is cartoonish rather than scary. It fits like a sweater over the cat’s neck, front legs and paws. The costume is pink with black polka dots and features a Dino head with a tuft of black "hair."

Everyone loves Dr. Suess books, especially the most famous one of all – "Cat in the Hat." Your cat will be so cute in his Cat in the Hat Pet costume which includes a striped, Dr. Suess hat and a jumpsuit that resembles a tuxedo with a red bow tie. This costume is absolutely hilarious and I for one have my eye on it.

Many amazing costumes for your dog or cat can be found online and at discounted prices. Alice in Wonderland, Strawberry Shortcake, The Evil Cat, Star Wars character, Yoda, sexy French Maid costumes – and so many more – are available for you to choose from.

This Halloween, make your pet the star and dress him or her up in your favorite character costume – or in one that suits his personality. You’ll create memories that your entire family will cherish forever and once more have some really great fun into the bargain.

Author: Zara Jones is a part time teacher in Florida. Check out these great Wolverine Halloween Costumes which are sure to be in the top five sellers this Halloween as well as these great Couples Halloween Costumes ideas and options.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zara_Jones

Here are a few more articles about pet halloween costumes…

Halloween Costumes for Cats: The Latest Cat Halloween Costumes 

Searching for cute, adorable Halloween costumes for cats this October? A pet can look absolutely adorable in the latest cat Halloween costume.  

The Green Head – Cat From Hell – Pet Costume

So this Halloween, dress up your evil feline pal or extra small dog in this very appropriate and hilarious Cat From Hell – Pet Costume. The costume includes a red cape and matching red horns, but good luck even getting it on them

Keep Your Pets Safe This Halloween

If your companion pet is a black cat, be certain to confine it in your home at least a week before Halloween and in the few days afterwards. Black cats are still viewed with superstition and are often injured, teased and killed around … STAY ALERT: Don’t let your pet pick up any small accessories that may have fallen off of your or your children’s costumes. 

Good Housekeeping Halloween Photo Costume Contest

Good Housekeeping Halloween Photo Costume Contest. Karen Nichols. Comments (1). It’s time for Good Housekeeping’s annual Halloween Pet Photo Contest, and they’ve got some great prizes: Grand prize: Five-night stay at the Hotel … Second runner-up: $250 gift card for Amazon Pet Store. Entry Deadline: 31 October 2009 

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One of the most interesting things about cats is their cleanliness. Cats practically house train themselves, just show them where the litter box and they are ready to use it; if you keep the litter box clean you cat will recompense you by never making a mess in your house, (although some do prefer potted plants to the litter box!). For the most part cats are happy to spend hours cleaning themselves, using their tongues to remove the dust from their bodies and to straighten their hair. Watching a cat bathe itself can be a mesmerizing experience for its owners.

We are so accustomed to our house cats taking care of their own hygienic needs that we occasionally fail to remember that they, just like dogs, need us to help with their grooming. It is the cat owners duty to make sure that the cats nails are trimmed, that any particularly severe mats and knots are removed from their coats, and that their teeth are kept clean and free of tarter and decay. In order to make sure that your cat is correctly groomed you need a very straightforward set of equipment, your toolbox of cat grooming supplies.

The fist item you need in your cat grooming toolbox is a cat brush. This brush has bristles that are tough enough to get rid of mats and debris from your cat’s coat, but still soft enough that they won’t pull and tear at your cat’s delicate skin. If you have a cat that seems to be particularly prone to getting substantial knots in its coat you will want to invest in a specifically designed mat spreader.

Unless you have had your house cat declawed your cat will need to have its nails clipped. In the wild, cats need their sharp claws to protect themselves and to help them capture and kill prey. Undomesticated cats keep their nail from becoming excessively long by walking around on hard surfaces that wear down the nail, keeping it sharp. The only real use house cats have for their claws is scratching furniture and occasionally taking a swipe at their human caretakers. It is the caretakers duty to make sure the cat’s nails get trimmed when they get long. If you have never trimmed  a cat’s nails watch a professional pet groomer or your cat’s veterinarian trim your cat’s nail first.

Dental care is an significant part of your cat’s general health. It is important to make sure that your cat’s teeth are clean and free of signs of decay. Check with your veterinarian who will be able to help you choose products designed for optimal feline health.

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Cats have fascinated and intrigued people of the world, for ages

First domesticated then worshipped in ancient Egypt , later bred and exported abroad, cats became loyal companions and objects of admiration.

The Cats Broadway musical, is a good example of how these furry miracles can inspire artists of different eras.

Tolstoy even told the tale of a cat who was critical to his story “Master and Margarita”; Sir Winston Churchill firmly believed that cats were important companions and always had his pal Jock in the room when meals were to commence.

To prevent his cats from letting in too much sunlight by opening the door into dark the laboratory, Sir Isaac Newton, invented the cat flap, now known as door flap. Invented in the 17th century, door flap is still a much needed article to help cats circulate in and out of the house.

Nikola Tesla, a prodigious inventor was first struck with question What is electricity? in early childhood while petting his cat Macak. Tesla was intrigued by the static and sparks that occurred as he stroked his friend and his curiosity ultimately led him to his groundbreaking findings in mechanical and electrical engineering.

The elegance of cat’s movements, their soothing purr and beautiful eyes make everyone appreciate them. You can even find cat fancier clubs just for cat lovers as well as salons and pet clothing lines that cater to your feline’s needs. Consumers not only love their pets, they also love to spend money on their pets and they like to buy specialty items–the frontline for cats is an example.

Cats help to reduce stress

Cats may be lovely to look at but they are also very therapeutic and proffer health benefits to their owners and people who spend time with them. Contact cats can help lower high blood pressure according to a study published in 2002 by professors W.B. Mendes, J. Blascovich and K. Allen of the State University of New York. The article was titled “Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets friends and spouses: the truth about cats and dogs” contains ample evidence and support that cats can indeed reduce stress and be beneficial to a cat owner’s health.

One of the reasons cats are so popular in North America is that they’re low maintenance pets. The American Veterinary Medical Association in 2007 stated that in the United States there are over 82 million felines being kept as pets. Wikipedia states that cats typically live longer if they live exclusively indoors. They are less likely to come in contact with diseases and bacteria, are protected from cat fight injuries and are not susceptible to being hit by a car. However keeping a cat indoors or letting it out, is a purely personal choice, that depends on many circumstances. You must love and care for your cat. We are responsible for those we take in. Let us not, let them down.

Sigmun Freud once said that “Time spend with a cat is never wasted.”

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If you counted the number of bones in a cat’s body, how many bones would there be?

(230) There are thirty vertebrae in a cat’s body. 10% of a cat’s bones are in their tail, which they use for balance.

A chariot being pulled by cats is part of which mythology?

(Norse)In Norse mythology the goddess Freyja, had a chariot pulled by cats.She was the goddess of fertility, love and beauty.

Superstition claims that a cat has how many lives?

(9)In certain cultures it is said that a cat has seven lives but the most common one says that a cat has nine. This superstition comes from a cat s ability to get out of life threatening situations.

How many teeth does a cat have?

(There are 30 teeth in a cat’s mouth) An adult cat has four canines and four molars.Up and down is the only way that a cat can move its jaws.

If you counted a cat’s whiskers, how many would there be?

(A cat has twenty-four whiskers) A cat has four rows of whiskers on its face. They use their whiskers to measure distances.

What is the proper name for the fear of cats?

(ailurophobia) People who fear cats not only fear being bitten or scratched, they often believe that a cat has evil powers. There are some people who believe that cats are unlucky.

If you clocked a cat at top speed, how fast would it be running?

(31 miles per hour) They can only do this for very short distances. Cats have 18 toes, four on its back paws and five on its front. They actually walk on their toes.

What was the punishment for killing a cat in ancient Egypt?

(You would be executed) If a cat died the owners would shave their eyebrows. The idol god Bast was a cat. Bast was the god of the fields and of the home.

The first formal cat show was held in what year?

(It was held in 1871) The very first formal show was in England. The show was held in the Crystal Palace. In 1884, North America held its first cat show.

How may weeks will a cat be pregnant?

(Cats are usually pregnant for nine weeks) Sixty-six days is the normal length of a cat’s pregnancy. Cats usually have between two and five kittens. Kittens will open their eyes when they are about seven days old.

If you would like to test your knowledge further, you can create unlimited free quizzes at: Free Printable Trivia Questions or if you like movies, check out: Movie Quizzes

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Stop wasting money on toys for cats. The first thing you do when you get a new cat is grab the necessities like a water bowl, food and of course cat toys.

There are thousands of cat toys on the market, so choosing the right ones for your feline friend can be confusing and overwhelming.These helpful tips will help guide you to items your cat will have fun with as well as find mentally stimulating.

Although it is tempting to buy all the best kitten toys in the store, make sure to limit the number to just a few.Only leave a couple of toys out at a time, if your cat has too many choices they may become overwhelmed. Keep other toys stored away and occasionally switch them out. It will be as if your cat has all new toys every few months.

Remember that, just because your friend’s cat liked a certain toy does not mean that yours will be the same. All cats have a unique personality, the toys that made one feline happy for days may not interest another cat at all.

Just because your cats behavior makes them appear bored with a toy now does not mean he will not love it three hours from now.

>>  Cat behaviour. Have fun training your cat 

Do yourself a favor and give the new toy some time before you give up on it. Some cats will surprise you when they attack and play with the item they did not care about the day before.

Favorite toys for cats

When choosing toys for cats, there are certain types that generally are a success, no matter what the cat’s personality may be.

The infamous laser pointer is often a favorite. Cats can spend hours chasing that little light, and it is a good way to play with more than one cat at a time.

Just make sure not to shine the light into kitty’s eyes or into any person s eyes either for that matter

Another favorite is the something on a string. The actual item on the string can range from feather to crackly balls to furry mice. You can purchase the toy with a fishing pole like setup with elastic string. Dangle the toy above a cat’s head and you are almost guaranteed to get a reaction.

There are plenty of interactive toys that involve the concept of hiding. Plastic balls on a track, or mice hidden in a big plastic piece of cheese will peak your cat’s interest and stimulate his mind while he tries to figure out how to capture the toy.

In addition, you may want to consider the classic favorites: the little ball with a jingle bell inside, the furry mouse, a good scratching post, and the crackly toy.

Just remember that, when choosing toys for cats, that your pet may love one toy and hate the next. To find the best cat toy for your feline may take several attempts. Do not get frustrated if you cat does not like the toy you picked out.

Give him a little time, and if he is still not interested, then try a different type of toy. Play time is important to overall cats health. So do not give up, you are sure to find the right items to keep your cat happy and active.

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Cats are very good pets as they don t require as much attention as other options such as a dog.

You don’t have to walk the cat and you don t have to deal with it barking at everything that happens to walk by your home. The only thing you may have to spend on is cat furniture, which is essential for a healthy and happy cat.

With so much modern cat furniture available you should enjoy shopping for it. Young cats are extremely playful and you can interact with them when you want to. However, most cats are content to play with toys or to be independent.

This doesn’t mean that cats aren’t excellent companions though. They can be silly at times and they often enjoy curling up on your lap and purring. Your cat won’t come running when you are home at the end of day and knock you over.

They also don’t lick or bite so you won’t have to worry about how they will interact with others when you have company. Cats always seem to be able to tell when you need some comfort.

Taking care of a pet can help a child to become more responsible but some pets just come with too much time required. A cat makes a perfect choice for children because they tend to take care of themselves. As long as they are given sufficient food and water they will remain happy.

Indoor cats will have to be trained to use a litter box but most of them learn very quickly so you won’t have to deal with cleaning up such messes around your home. However, you need to clean the litter box regularly because cats do not like to use a dirty litter box.

There is an abundance of cat litter furniture to be found on the internet, and you will definitely find something to suit your taste in design, and budget.

Cats are clean animals as they spend a large amount of time grooming themselves each day. In the majority of cases, cats lead a very happy and long life without too many problems. They don’t cost very much because cat food and litter are very cheap. They don t require as many vet visits for routine shots either like dogs do which can become quite expensive.

Mouse control

For those that have problems with mice, cats make a great natural system for taking care of them. This means you won t have to deal with messy traps or dangerous poisons around your home. Many cat owners claim they haven t come across a mouse in their home for years with this line of defense.

Cats are very precious and beautiful animals as well. They have a gentle hum to them that can be relaxing for humans. They have coats in all colors as well as eyes that are very shiny and bright. Each cat has their own personality and you just can t help but adore them.

There are many breeds of cats if you want a particular kind but some of the most beautiful cats are those that are mixed breeds. Cats are very smart animals too so they will quickly catch up to what you like from them and what you don’t based on the praise you give them.

>> Learn Cat Training Secrets Here

Contrary to popular belief, cats are obedient and they want their owner s to be happy with them. They will learn fast that you don’t like them scratching on the furniture or putting their tail in your face while you are sleeping. To prevent them scratching on your furniture you can buy them their own cat scratching furniture.

For your entire cat furniture needs please visit www.catbedandtoy.com.

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Cats can make excellent pets as they don’t require as much attention as dogs or other pets. Cats don’t need to be taken for a walk, and they don’t bark all day like a dog.

Young cats are extremely playful and you can interact with them when you want to, and they are very independent. Most cats are content to play with toys by themselves.

This doesn’t mean that cats aren’t excellent companions though.

They can be silly at times and they often enjoy curling up on your lap and purring.

However your cat won’t come running when you come home at the end of day and knock you over. When you have visitors you don’t have to worry about them biting people like a dog. When you’re feeling down and lonely, a cat will sense this and jump up on your lap and give you a fuss.

A cat is a perfect choice for children because they tend to take care of themselves.

Providing they are given sufficient food and water they will remain happy and contented.

>>  Feed your cat the right kind of food foor optimum health

Indoor cats learn quickly to use a litter box so you won t have to deal with cleaning up such messes around your home. You will have to clean the litter box regularly because cats do not like to use a dirty litter box.

In the majority of cases, cats lead a very happy and long life without too many problems

They don’t cost very much because cat food and litter are very cheap. They don’t require as many vet visits for routine shots either like dogs do which can become quite expensive. Cats are clean animals as they spend a large amount of time grooming themselves each day.

For those that have problems with mice, cats make a great natural system for taking care of them. This means you won’t have to deal with messy traps or dangerous poisons around your home.

Cats are very precious and beautiful animals as well. They have coats in all colors as well as eyes that are very shiny and bright. Each cat has their own personality and you just can t help but adore them. There are many breeds of cats if you want a particular kind but some of the most beautiful cats are those that are mixed breeds.

Cats are very smart animals too so they will quickly catch up to what you like from them and what you don t based on the praise you give them.

>>  Easy cat training tips. Click here

Contrary to popular belief, cats are obedient and they want their owner’s to be happy with them. They will learn fast that you don’t like them scratching on the furniture or putting their tail in your face while you are sleeping.

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The cat has been perceived as a creature of mystery, of magic and sometimes, wittiness. It s no wonder that this very purr-ty animal has a place in the hearts of men even though dogs are considered as man’s loyal friend and pet.

The ancient Egyptians are very much fond of these wonderful animals and cats are even regarded as the most ideal pet for a royal family. Even today, even though the dog is still man’s best friend, cats have places in the houses and in somebody’s hearts. Why, even dogs today love cats.

That phrase that says something like dogs hate cats or cats hate dogs who hate them are just some sort of urban legend. Dogs do chase cats but they don’t fight it out to the end. Maybe cats have found a sort of cat communication to talk it out with dogs and maybe to humans. If you love cats, you sure want to talk to your cat in their own language, right?

For an ordinary person, choosing a cat for a pet is no big deal. He just have to go to a pet store or go to a breeder and then, buy the cat that he wants and that s it but for those who are really cat aficionados , it’s different.

Buying a cat takes more than just the simple and usual simple choosing and buying. He needs to find out what classification of breed is best for him as pet. You see, not all cats have the same attributes or personality traits, obviously and they can differ in their attitude, in upbringing, the way they communicate with other animals and other people. A gentle person would want a cat breed that is also gentle and a wild person might want to have a tiger for a pet.

No, seriously, that’s just one way of choosing a pet cat even in buying a kitten. Cats are just like their rivals, the dog and they surely have the need to communicate with their respective owners. It is amazing for a person to differentiate a mew that says I’m hungry and the mew that says Help! I m in pain! . Therefore, if a cat owner really needs to care for a cat in the most tender and loving way, he should try to learn some cat communication skills. To learn these things, it is also recommended to buy a sort of book guide that can teach all the things about how to choose a cat, how to train it and how to feed it to make it feel happy and truly adorable.

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