Halloween can be a lot of fun for children and adults alike…but what about for your dog? Do dogs enjoy celebrating Halloween? Do you know how to keep your dog safe amidst neighborhood ghouls and goblins? Here are seven spooky tips to keep your dog happy and healthy on Halloween.
1. Candy is for humans, not for dogs. Not just one piece.
Keep all candy in a place where your dog can’t get to it – just a single piece of dark chocolate can be poisonous to a dog. And no one wants be be watching and waiting for the wrapper to reappear in the yard!
Instead of sharing your candy, stock up on your dog’s favorite treats, or bake some yourself using canned pumpkin!
2. Keep your pets inside on Halloween.
You enjoy seeing ghosts and vampires parade along the street, but your dog might not see thing the same way. Many dogs get anxious when so many people are out walking, and others can be fearful of masks and other costume elements.
3. Keep your dog away from the door.
Isn’t it fun to answer the door and hand out candy?! Rover isn’t so sure, especially when the doorbell keeps ringing! Before your dog makes a dash out your open door, give him somewhere comfortable to relax, away from the hubbub, and consider putting on a white noise machine (or use a white noise app on your phone) to mitigate some of the overwhelming sounds.
4. Leave your dog at home when trick-or-treating.
You’ve spent all this time creating your matching family-and-dog costumes, and now you have to leave the dog home? For your pup’s health and safety, home is the place to be, far away from the crowds and strange creatures that will be out trick-or-treating. You might even want to consider skipping your evening dog walk on Halloween, even if you’re not trick-or-treating.
5. Don’t dress your dog in a costume unless…
…are you really sure your dog loves to dress up? If you must dress your pet, make sure the costume is comfortable for him and doesn’t restrict hearing, movement, eyesight, or the ability to breathe.
6. Keep Halloween decorations out of your pet’s reach.
Even edible decorations like pumpkins and corn can cause upset tummies! Dogs are clever and curious, so make sure all of your seasonal decor really is out of reach.
7. Keep ID on your dog.
If your dog should escape and become lost, having the proper identification will increase the chances that he or she will be returned. Collars and tags can help if someone finds your dog, and microchips are great permanent identification should your dog’s collar or tag fall off.
The holiday season is also a good time to make sure your owner information is up-to-date. If you’re not sure how to update your microchip information online, the humane society has tips to make it easy.
Dogs might not celebrate Halloween quite the same way that humans do, but they can have a safe and happy night at home with these seven tips. How will your dog celebrate this year?