Calling all pet parents! Join the 7.4 million American households who dress up their pets for Halloween. Petplan’s got all the safety tricks (and treats) you’ll need for a howling good time.

Doggone Costumes– It’s Halloween night and your dog’s the bomb in his Donald Trump wig. But in the necktie and business suit too, your execu-pet barely makes it out the door. Some ensembles, no matter how side-splitting, just aren’t safe for dogs even on Halloween. That’s why Petplan vets recommend comfortable pet-safe costumes made just for four-legged friends. Look for costumes that don’t restrict movement or include dangling, loose parts that dogs might swallow. And remember, Halloween’s supposed to be fun. So if your dog doesn’t like his costume, take him trick or treating anyway in his one-of-a-kind dog suit. No assembly required.

Trick or Dog Treat– Your dog’s got big plans for Halloween. She plans to bark incessantly every time the doorbell rings and raid the candy bowl when you’re not looking. No wonder you dressed her in that devil costume. Fortunately, you’re on to her. You know that chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs and even a little nip can spell big trouble for your dog. So to skip a trip to the emergency vet clinic, you keep the candy bowl out of paw’s reach. Or, better yet, offer the fuzzy devil a special Halloween doggie bag away from the trick-or-treat traffic.

Black Cats Beware– Your cat may look the part, but roaming the streets on Halloween is no place for him. Blame it on the full moon, but some people do crazy things on Halloween. Whether it’s teasing and chasing or unspeakable cruelty, cats get singled out for trouble on this otherwise festive day.  To keep your kitty safe and sound, Petplan vets recommend keeping them indoors at all times, but especially on Mischief Night and Halloween.

BOOtique Bites: The neighborhood dogs can’t wait to stop by your house on Halloween. No candy or people-foods here, just a delicious assortment of doggie treats wrapped and ready to go.  So when that monster-on-all-fours rings your bell, you’ll be ready to stuff his treat bag with an apple oatmeal ghost, very veggie pumpkin, beefy bat and a chicken skeleton bone. No tricks necessary.
http://healthyhoundbakery.com

Little Pupkins: It’s fall fashion season and your dog doesn’t have a thing to wear. Up Country to the rescue! Slip on this Halloween parade of black cats, candy corns and jack-lanterns for the ultimate in collar cool.  http://upcountryinc.com

Ferocious Fangs: After all those Halloween pet treats, a pup’s teeth get super scary. Thanks to PetzLife’s complete line of oral sprays and gels, you can safely and naturally control plaque, bacteria, and mercifully,
bad breath.  Even better, just enter GOPETPLAN at checkout for a 15% discount on the entire PetzLife order — even the shipping.
http://www.petzlife.com/

Ruff Times for Health Care -Unless you’re a dog or cat, that is. No
bi-partisan debates here. Philadelphia Business Journal zooms in on one American health system that really works -- Petplan pet insurance. Meet the people behind the plans. See why they got started. Fetch the whole success story here.

Pose for the Puparazzi! - There’s still time to win a photo shoot with leading pet photographer, Amanda Jones. Just upload your pet's picture to Petplan's facebook wall before October 16, 2009 for your chance to win. Smile and say "Woof" (or "Meow")!

Vets for Pets (September Blogs to check out!)
From fur balls to first aid, Petplan’s veterinary team shares the
know-how you need for healthy, happy pets.  Find it all here at blog.gopetplan.com.

Holy Hairballs, Batman! - Every diva knows the secret to fabulous hair – a super stylist, of course. So when it comes to the ultimate diva, your cat, consider yourself hired. Don’t have the styling skills? Don’t worry. This blog’s got all the hairball patrol training you’ll need.

Scrap the Table Scraps - Your poor pup lives for your leftovers. But are they really safe for him to eat? Get all the facts on table scraps before dessert is served.

Pet 911 -What’s Your Emergency?  Good pet parents are ready for anything.  Learn how to lend a paw in pet emergencies by assembling a first aid kit in a flash.

If they get a policy, you get a $25 AMEX giftcard. (And there's no limit to how many friends you tell!) >>Click here.

The Shelter Pet Project Unleashed!
It’s here -- the very first national Public  Service Announcement (PSA) Campaign designed to bring people and shelter pets together at last. Thanks to the HSUS, the Advertising Council and Maddie’s Fund, animal shelters big and small will increase pet adoptions by breaking down tired shelter pet stereotypes. Through brilliantly creative and humorous ads, Americans learn the real truth about shelter pets and why they deserve forever homes. To get the facts, and meet your perfect pet match, stop by http://theshelterpetproject.org/.

Dogs Get the Point
You aren’t imagining it. Your dog actually does understand the pointing gesture as well as your toddler. Find out how scientists proved it.

The Long and Short of It
Finally, the answer to every Dachshund’s question number one:  “Why are my legs so short?” See what geneticists found out about the little legs of 19 different dog breeds.

Hot Diggity Dog
You’ve heard it before, “small dog, big heart.” But wait, there’s more. Now a new study shows that small dogs also have higher body temperatures than their big breed friends. It’s hot news. Get it here.

"Healthy Pet!"
Tell us what you do to keep your pet healthy and you could win one of five Planet Dog balls featured in the latest issue of fetch! magazine

September's Contest Winner
"Recession stress took its toll on Marco, my 9-year old golden doodle and me. After a big round of layoffs at work, I started spending more time with Marco and noticed his pacing, whining and nervousness. Instead of just putting him on anti-anxiety medication, our vet recommended trying gentle exercise to reduce stress. That’s how we found out about Doga. These special yoga classes are designed for people to incorporate their dogs into stretches and relaxing strength exercises. After just one month we’ve mastered the “upward-paw pose” and “downward-facing dog” together and feel much more relaxed indeed."
Bethany Z., San Rafael, CA
Read more winners' stories at blog.gopetplan.com! >>

Email your answer to: contests@gopetplan.com.

September Poll Results
Do you keep pictures of your pets on your social networking profile?
Sure, pets are part of my family: 84%. No: 4%  My pets have their own social networking profile: 11%

Recipe for Happy Pets
Since a whopping 40% of Petplan readers reported making special treats for their pets, we know you’ll love this seasonal pup pleaser from Mary Elizabeth Z. of Taunton, Massachusetts. Thanks, Mary!

Pumpkin Poppers
1- 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 Tb. brown sugar
1/2 Tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. ground nutmeg
4 Tbs. shortening
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients together. Cut in the shortening. Then beat in the pumpkin, egg and buttermilk and combine with dry ingredients. Place dough in small balls on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.