Halloween is quickly approaching and with it comes all kinds of fun for people and their pets. It also however, brings possibilities of danger as well. Here are some tips to help keep your dog safe and happy during Howl-o-ween festivities.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Not every dog is going to be happy to see the trick-or-treaters that show up on your doorstep. You know your dog best, so with that, if he already doesn’t like strangers knocking at the door, chances are he won’t like the witches, zombies or vampires there either. Also, there will be kids coming to the door who are not fans of dogs, some are downright terrified of even the friendliest pups. This is a night that should be fun for everyone, so if there is any suspicion that your dog will experience anxiety or be upset by the festivities, take steps to keep him away from the heart of the action. Putting him in a quiet place where he won’t hear the stream of trick-or-treaters may be the best option for him and your visitors. If your pup is crate trained, put him in there as it is his safe place. Give him an antler to chew or a treat filled kong to keep him busy if you suspect he won’t settle down quickly.
Another thing to keep your pup safe is to be sure their ID is on them with the correct contact information. This applies to their micro-chip as well. Collars could become lost, but the micro-chip is a permanent form of ID which is only useful if the company has a way to contact you if your pup is found. This is always a good idea, but Halloween presents ample opportunities for your pet to get out unnoticed because the door is opened so often.
Candy is a tempting treat, but for your dog it is not one they should have. Chocolate, especially dark varieties, contain theobromine. People metabolize theobromine easily, but dogs are much slower to process it, so it can build to toxic levels quickly. Depending on the size of dog, amount and type of chocolate, the reaction can range from an upset stomach to a heart attack. The best bet is to keep all chocolate up and out of the reach of your dog.
Sugarless candy and gum may seem like a smart treat to prevent cavities in kids, but if your dog eats some it is very dangerous. Xylitol, a sweetener found in many sugarless gums, candies and even peanut butter is highly toxic to dogs. Small amounts of it are known to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure or even death. Again, the best bet is to keep it securely out of reach of your pets.
Candy wrappers can even pose a danger to your pup. Be sure to pick up all wrappers and dispose of them in a way that keeps your dog safe. We all know that some pups like to dig into the trash, eating whatever is tempting to them. Wrappers with the sweet smell of candy lingering on them may seem like a tasty snack to your dog, but if ingested could cause a blockage and an expensive trip to the vet.
Halloween decorations are a big part of the holiday for many people. Keep them safe for your dog by keeping cords up and out of their reach. A few chomps on a cord could result in an electrical shock to your dog, which could be deadly. Jack-o-lanterns and other pumpkin decorations aren’t necessarily dangerous to your dog, but the candles inside of them could present a fire hazard if they are knocked over by an excited pup. Consider using battery-powered candles inside them instead of regular candles and put the jack-o-lanterns in areas that they are less likely to be knocked into. If your pup does decide to snack on the pumpkin, it isn’t toxic for them if it is a regular plain pumpkin. However, too much might upset their stomach, so try to keep them from caving to the temptation.
Costumes aren’t for every dog. Some may find it stressful and anxiety inducing. Others will enjoy it or at least tolerate the new outfit. If your pup enjoys wearing clothes & doesn’t mind people laughing at their expense, go ahead and dress them up. For it to be enjoyable and safe, follow these guidelines. Make sure the costume you buy is the right size. Read through the reviews to see if the fit is true to size and consider the unique shape of your dog. Longer backs, shorter legs, type of ears, tail or no tail are all characteristics that might make the fit of a costume different than described. Some costumes will list breeds the different sizes fit, but if you own a mixed-breed, chances are you will have to base it on your dog’s weight, height and other measurements. Be sure to pick a costume that doesn’t restrict vision or hearing. The costume should also not restrict movement or cause overheating. Nighttime visibility is as important for your pup as it is for kids and people, reflective tape or light-colored costumes will make them easier to see if you are out after dark.
By following these tips, you and your pup should have a fangtastic Howl-o-ween. Stay safe and enjoy a fa-boo-less October 31st!
