Attention, animal lovers, it’s almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying “trick or treat!” all the way to November 1.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms-especially dark or baking chocolate-can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increaing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

It is estimated that 40% of dogs and cats are obese in the U.S. Why are there so many fat dogs and cats? Pampering your pet is more popular now than ever. From jeweled collars to canopy beds, gourmet treats are the norm for today’s spoiled dogs. But all of this pampering has led pets to start packing on the pounds.

So what if a pet is fat? Pet obesity is on the rise and spoiled pooches are leading the pack. The unhealthy effects of obesity are similar for people and pets. Excess weight can lead to an increased risk for diseases like diabetes; complicate problems like arthritis; and is linked to certain types of cancer – not to mention simply making them uncomfortable.

Many people barely have enough time for themselves, let alone their pets. This means quality time with pets becomes extremely infrequent. With little time to show your pet how much you love them, special treats become a means of compensation. For others, it may not be a matter of time but of love. For many pet crazy owners, their pets are their kids. They want to pamper their pets with tons of love and special treats, and the pet food industry eagerly provides tons of readily available gourmet treats. Doggy birthday cakes, frosted jumbo bones, and giant jerky treats are some of the extravagant goodies selling out. Although luxury pet treats are becoming bigger and fancier, other alternatives DO exist for spoiling your pet.

Some healthy ways to spoil you pet that can still show your pet that you love him or her without helping them pack on the pound are:

• Trade up for healthier treats. Fresh baby carrots are a great, low-calorie alternative to fatty biscuits and permit the frequent treat-giving that many dogs have become accustomed to.
• Make them work for it. Interactive toys keep pets busy while rewarding them with small treats throughout the play activity. For already obese pets, using pieces of their regular dog food as treats is helpful.
• Forget the treats and get moving. Increasing play time with your pet can greatly increase calories burned in a day. Spoiling your pet doesn’t have to involve food. Playing ball, going for a run or visiting a dog park are fun and healthful ways to interact with your pet.

Changing the trend of spoiled, obese pets requires a change in perception of pampering. It’s important to understand that keeping a pet healthy is the best treatment of all.

And cats are no exception! Is your cat “chunky,” “round,” or “heavyset”? (We’ve also heard the term “full-figured.”) Fat cats might seem cute but feline obesity is a serious issue. Veterinarians around the world agree that excess weight can lead to increased stress on joints and organs as well as a shortened lifespan. Getting a chubby cat to lose weight can really improve their health.

Weight loss in cats is similar to weight loss in people. For the most part, there are 3 ways to drop extra pounds: eat less, eat lower calorie food, or get more exercise. The same is true in cats. As long as the weight loss isn’t related to a medical issue, one or all of these methods can be effective.

Nutrition is an important part of weight loss. You can feed your cat slightly less or feed a lower calorie cat food. One of the healthiest ways to help cats slim down is to increase their activity. This is easier said than done, though. With today’s busy schedules it can be difficult to ensure that your cats are getting all the exercise they need. Indoor cats in particular can be prone to inactivity and even boredom, which some scientists think is linked to many cases of feline depression and weight gain!

Improving your cat’s health doesn’t have to involve expensive equipment. Just a few minutes a day can be enough to start on the path to better health. Which types of toys really turn your cat on? There is a big difference between cats and how they like to play. Watch what gets your cat moving!

Increasing your cat’s activity level can have other benefits as well, including a decrease in clawing, biting, lethargy, and inappropriate marking. As the saying goes, a tired cat is a happy cat.

Owners will often notice some changes in the pets that are left behind when a dog dies. Some become aloof or lethargic, stop eating or become clingy to their owner. Because of this it appears that dogs do indeed grieve when a canine companion dies. Since pets can’t tell us in human words what they are thinking or feeling, we base our understanding of their emotional condition on their behavior. How do they react in certain situations or specific circumstances?

When a person experiences the loss of a beloved human, we can learn their grief based on what he says. But it is how he reacts or what he does that tells us he is suffering. He loses his focus, becomes listless and disoriented, doesn’t eat and becomes disinterested in what is happening around him. The person may cry or go without sleep or may even sleep more than usual.

An animal that is experiencing the loss of another animal companion may react similarly. Animal behaviorists are learning that some animals actually become depressed with the loss of a loved one. Just like humans, they show symptoms like loss of interest in their favorite activities and sleeping more than usual. (It is important to remember that dogs may distance themselves from the family and sleep more than usual when they are ill, so you should always consult with your veterinarian before seeing a behaviorist if your dog exhibits symptoms such as these.)

A dog may have a loss of appetite, become disoriented, or be clingier. Grieving dogs may sit at a window for days watching for the return of a canine pal who was taken to a veterinarian to be euthanized. Animal behaviorists commonly call this emotional state separation anxiety. On the surface, the pet’s behavior is similar to that of a person experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals conducted a Companion Animal Mourning Project in 1996. The study found that 36 percent of dogs ate less than usual after the death of another canine companion. About 11 percent actually stopped eating completely. About 63 percent of dogs vocalized more than normal or became quieter. Study respondents indicated that surviving dogs changed the quantity and location of sleep. More than half the surviving pets became more affectionate and clingy with their caregivers. Overall, the study revealed that 66 percent of dogs exhibited four or more behavioral changes after losing a pet companion.

If your dog shows signs of grieving the loss of an animal or human family member, provide him or her with more attention and affection. Try engaging them in a favorite activity. For dogs who relish human companionship, invite friends that the dog likes to visit and spend time with. Try using enrichment techniques such as toys to keep them busy. Hide favorite toys or treats at favorite spots for the dog to find during the day. A dog who is too depressed over the loss may not respond to extra activity right away. The old adage that time heals all wounds has meaning for your dog, too. Based on the results of the ASPCA study, most dogs returned to normal after about two weeks but some dogs took up to six months to fully recover.

If your dog is vocalizing more or howling, don’t give her treats to distract her or you might unintentionally reinforce the howling. Remember that giving attention during any behavior will help to reinforce it so be sure you are not reinforcing a behavior that you don’t like! Instead, give attention at a time when your dog is engaging in behaviors that you do like, such as when she is resting quietly or watching the activity outdoors. Just know that as the pain of the loss begins to subside, so should the vocalizing, as long as it is related to the grieving process.

Finally, when you are thinking about adding another dog, wait until you and your surviving dog have adjusted to the loss. Forcing your dog to get to accept a new dog will only add stress to an already anxiety-ridden emotional state. Be Patient! Remember, your dog may miss her canine companion as much as you do.