Pets at Halloween

Samaris · 31-10-2015 12:42pm #1

There's always the odd stories around this time of year, mostly urban legends about black cats being ritually sacrificed to Pan. Having said that, there have been quite a few animal cruelty cases, particularly in and around Cork city lately, so if I had a pet there, I'd be rather nervous of it being outside in the next day or two.

Then of course there's fireworks, milling throngs of tiny creatures in costume and all the rest of the Halloween spirit.

So, how do other people feel about their pets this time of year? Pets jumpy at fireworks? Worried about your black moggy being turned into Satan's charm bracelet? Are you dressing your confused dachshund up as a hot dog?

Surprised here at the moment (staying with family, not in Cork) that I've not heard a single firework - it used to be manic this time of year for bangers and explosions. As for our black kitty, there's not a chance anyone could catch the little neurovore.

TheNobleKipper · 31-10-2015 12:56pm

We have a miniature black panther that is grounded until tomorrow at least. We scheduled his annual vaccination for yesterday because he is usually feeling poorly for a few days afterwards which reduced the frantic screams to be let outside for his daily patrols.

Our area seems fairly quiet and I haven't heard any fireworks, but I think anyone who cares about their pet should really keep them in. There are too many retarded scumbags everywhere...

Sheep Lover · 31-10-2015 1:05pm

TheNobleKipper wrote: »

We have a miniature black panther

A panther!?
Would you not just set this panther on them?

Menas · 31-10-2015 1:26pm

You could almost predict that there will be a story in the papers on monday about some scum hurting a kitten or puppy with fireworks this weekend.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 31-10-2015 2:16pm

It's really unfair on dogs, they lose their minds with fear when they hear bangers and fireworks.

fin12 · 31-10-2015 2:23pm

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's really unfair on dogs, they lose their minds with fear when they hear bangers and fireworks.

Ya one of my neighbors dogs one year after hearing fireworks jumped over the fence at the back of the house on to the main mallow road and was run over and killed. He was a lovely black and white sheepdog.

Penny Tration · 31-10-2015 2:25pm

My dog is terrified of fireworks and bangers, so we're keeping her in the sitting room with the tv turned up loud to try drown it out a little. she's an indoor dog anyway so thankfully won't be trying to get out all night. I'm sure most good animal owners will keep their pets indoors tonight.

Whitewinged · 31-10-2015 2:33pm

We have a rabbit. She does get scared. She does this thing where she bangs her foot, some sort of instinctual warning thing rabbits do, something to do with creating vibrations in the ground as a warning. We have a little indoor cage for her so we will put her in the house.

Aurum · 31-10-2015 3:00pm

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It's really unfair on dogs, they lose their minds with fear when they hear bangers and fireworks.

My dog actually doesn't mind the noise. She acknowledges it, looks around for a second or two and then continues whatever she was doing. That said, I'd never leave her unaccompanied in the garden on Halloween, that's just irresponsible.

squeekyduck · 31-10-2015 3:29pm

Whitewinged wrote: »

We have a rabbit. She does get scared. She does this thing where she bangs her foot, some sort of instinctual warning thing rabbits do, something to do with creating vibrations in the ground as a warning. We have a little indoor cage for her so we will put her in the house.

Ah yes, the old "I am pissed off" stomp!!

Mesrine65 · 31-10-2015 3:32pm

My two dogs were brought out as pups to the garden to experience the fireworks display in the GAA ground next to my estate last year, they have no problem with it now.

fin12 · 31-10-2015 3:41pm

Quote Whitewinged:
"We have a rabbit. She does get scared. She does this thing where she bangs her foot, some sort of instinctual warning thing rabbits do, something to do with creating vibrations in the ground as a warning. We have a little indoor cage for her so we will put her in the house."

My friend had a rabbit before, Harry the rabbit, he was brown and white, really nice colour, ya I remember he used to run around stay still and stomp his foot really load, I always wondered what he was doing.

Whitewinged · 31-10-2015 3:56pm

fin12 wrote: »

My friend had a rabbit before, Harry the rabbit, he was brown and white, really nice colour, ya I remember he used to run around stay still and stomp his foot really load, I always wondered what he was doing.

Yea there is so much about rabbits that i didnt know. Im not naturally that good with animals, i wish i was, but shes more my husbands pet. Anyway there is also this thing they get where they get kind of hypnotised. They go into a zoned out relaxed state and lie on their back. Its weird. She even growled at me once too. Who knew rabbits can growl

GLaDOS · 31-10-2015 4:05pm

Years ago we had a rabbit, they day after halloween we found him shaking behind the bins and refused to move or eat. Brought him to the vet who reckoned it was a stroke brought on by the fireworks. He was old enough at that stage.

Keep my cat in for her own safety, though she doesn't seem to mind the fireworks. You never know what scumbags are about though.

Samaris · 31-10-2015 4:26pm

Ah poor rabbit

I have seen them do that ground thumping thing though - I guess the vibrations also warn rabbits below to stay down until whatever predator it is is gone.

Bar two smaller relatives dressing up as witches (and my chasing them around the garden as a bigger witch turning plants into frogs/toads/laundry/etc), I wouldn't actually know it was Halloween today. Nary a banger nor firework at all. Not that I'm complaining; they used to be constant from mid-October to mid-November and all the dogs in the area would spend the whole month barking.

squeekyduck · 31-10-2015 4:51pm

Whitewinged wrote: »

Yea there is so much about rabbits that i didnt know. Im not naturally that good with animals, i wish i was, but shes more my husbands pet. Anyway there is also this thing they get where they get kind of hypnotised. They go into a zoned out relaxed state and lie on their back. Its weird. She even growled at me once too. Who knew rabbits can growl

Rabbits are far from cute and fluffy! My one attacks if we try and catch her to put her back in the cage.

She can also fend herself against the crazy cat! They are interesting animals once you watch them. I love when they stand on their back legs and look around with their ears stood up.

GLaDOS · 31-10-2015 6:03pm

It was a brave cat who tried anything with my aforementioned rabbit, he wasn't particularly tame :pac:

DEFTLEFTHAND · 31-10-2015 7:11pm

I love rabbits but would be frightened to keep a pet one with my cats. I've witnessed their handiwork with the wild rabbits living in the field behind my house, not a very pretty sight.

Sheep Lover · 31-10-2015 7:57pm

At least with a rabbit you could have a nice stew with him if worst came to worst. I wouldn't fancy dog stew myself.

lazeedaisy · 31-10-2015 7:59pm

We don't get fireworks in our area, 2 of our 3 dogs would be nervous but with nothing going on, we are all ok, put tv on extra loud just in case

31-10-2015 8:01pm

doggy is nervous but we held him and talked to him at the window there and pointed out the fireworks and he stopped barking at them and started trying to look up to see where they went

SEPT 23 1989 · 31-10-2015 8:27pm

My hound is so shaky he looks like he has returned from a tour in Vietnam

Valentina · 31-10-2015 8:45pm

My eldest dog hates the noise of fireworks and bangers. There's a few going off here every so often but I have the tv turned up a little so she can't really hear them. The other dogs don't seem to mind at all. All of them are passed out after their dinner anyway. Cat is safely upstairs asleep on my bed.

lazeedaisy · 31-10-2015 8:54pm

And I spoke too soon,

My little terrier who terrifies everyone all year round is huddled in the corner shaking,

Watching vintage tv loud,

DanielODonnell · 31-10-2015 9:00pm

I live in rural lands so there isn't as many head cases compared to urban lands and villages, plus only the travellers steal dogs in my homeland.

KatW4 · 31-10-2015 9:06pm

Our dog hates loud noises and fireworks make her run away. She's been inside for most of the evening now.

Not sure about the cat and 2 kittens. The cat doesn't like the hoover so I'm guessing she wouldn't like it. I think the kittens would be curious but I don't want to find out. It's quiet here so far, let's hope it stays that way.

Pets at Halloween

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