Are cats, especially black cats, in danger of harm at Halloween? There are many opinions about this issue, with some experts stating that Halloween poses no extra risk to cats, and others who argue that people with an anti-cat bias are more likely to abuse cats during Halloween. Some shelters will not adopt out black cats during this time of year, while others use Halloween as an opportunity to promote black cat adoptions.

Whether your cat is black or any other color, there are a few common-sense cat safety guidelines to keep in mind this Halloween. Cats can get upset by ringing doorbells, loud voices, and increased activity in and around the house. Here are some useful tips from CatHealth.com to help keep your cat safe and secure:

• Begin keeping indoor-outdoor cats inside several days before Halloween. (Cats are always safer living indoors.)
• Secure your cat in a comfortable room away from the front door, and don’t forget to visit between trick or treaters.
• Keep your cat away from candles and any tempting decorations that could be hazardous if swallowed.
• Don’t let your cat eat chocolate or any other type of candy, and don’t let him eat those candy wrappers he’s playing with.
• Resist the urge to dress your cat up in costumes (they really don’t like it!). Cats can also get frightened when their humans look different, so remember that masks and wigs can be scary to them.
• If your cat does get out on Halloween, keep calm and encourage your cat to come back inside with gentle calls and his favorite treats.

Halloween can be a stressful time for cats…a little planning can ensure that your cat feels safe this Halloween!