7 Halloween Safety for Dog Owners
Halloween is right around the corner, full of spooky fun and festivities. With a furry friend in the house, though, be sure this spooky holiday doesn’t turn into an actual nightmare. By following these safety tips, you can breathe a bit easier knowing there won’t be any actual scares waiting around the corner.
7 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe During Halloween
1. Be Considerate of Your Canine’s Costume
Halloween costumes for dogs can be cute, spooky, and sometimes downright hilarious – but don’t sacrifice your pup’s comfort for a couple of laughs. Some dogs are very patient when it comes to getting dressed up; they might even enjoy it. But there are also canines that would hate nothing more than to have to wear a costume all night long. You know your canine better than anyone, though, so keep that in mind when looking for or creating your furry friend’s outfit.
Also, be sure their costume fits them comfortably. You don’t want it to be too big to the point that it’s dragging on the ground and making it hard for your pooch to walk. But you also want to be sure their costume isn’t too tight to the point that it’s restricting their movements, cutting off circulation, or making it hard for them to breathe. Lastly, avoid costumes with dangling parts or pieces that can be chewed off or eaten. This can avoid any potential accidents from occurring.
When your dog is dressed up, it is best practice to avoid leaving them unattended. That way you can be sure to adjust their costumes or removed them entirely as necessary.
2. Fido Should be Inside & Away from the Door
Even the sweetest and most well-behaved dogs can act out when put in stressful situations. If your doorbell is constantly ringing and there are constantly people at your door – it could cause your four-legged friend to be confused and become territorial. If they think their home and family are in danger, they could snap and act aggressively.
Additionally, you also don’t want to leave Fido outside. You never know what Halloween pranksters could be lurking around. Plus, you don’t want your pooch to get out somehow and get lost with all the commotion. So, the best plan of action is to keep your furry friend safe and inside for the night.
3. Keep a Close Eye on Your Jack-O-Lanterns
Your pooch might find the flickering lights of candles to be interesting or frightening. Either way, it could cause them to freak out or knock something over. And the last thing you want to deal with on the scariest night of the year is an emergency vet visit for a severe burn or an emergency call for a house fire. Therefore keeping any candles or flames away from your canine is the way to go.
4. Candy Should Be Out of Site, Mind, and Paws Reach
This should go without saying, but it’s important that you keep your candy bowl away from your pup and in a spot that is impossible for them to access. Most candy is toxic to dogs, and even the wrappers can cause them digestive issues that can lead to emergencies. So, keep your candy stored safely away for trick or treaters only. If you want to treat your dog, consider making them some DIY doggy treats to help distract them from the candy and reward them for being a good pooch. Below we have listed a few candies that should be kept out of reach from your dog.
Chocolate:
Chocolate consumption in dogs is a top issue for Halloween since a large majority of people tend to give away chocolate candies. These chocolate candies contain theobromine with can be harmful and at times fatal for dogs if consumed. The darker the chocolate, the higher the chance of danger for your dog. If your dog eats chocolate, contact your veterinarian, veterinary emergency center, or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately. Quick action is important to be sure they get the treatment required to stay healthy.
Candies and Gum:
These candies tend to have xylitol which is a sugar alcohol commonly used as an artificial sweetener. Xylitol is toxic to pets and should be kept away.
Hard Candies:
Hard candies are bad for your dogs since there is a chance that they can build up in your dog’s stomach. This can also happen with gum which can lead to obstruction.
Candy Wrappers:
Candy is bad for dog’s but so are the wrappers. They can become lodged in the throat or intestines. This would require surgery to remove in order to avoid gastrointestinal irritation.
Raisins:
Raisins may be sweet but raisins and grapes are dangerous to your dog’s health due to the chances of causing renal failure. If your dog consumes raisins, call your vet or emergency vet immediately.
5. Stay Away From Glow Sticks and Glow Jewelry
Glowing jewelry and glow sticks can be fun for adding the extra flare to an outfit, but it can also be dangerous to dogs. Since dogs chew on items, if they decide to chew on your glowing items, this can lead to puncture holes in them. If ingested, the fluid can cause mouth pain, irritation, and excessive salivation.
6. Watch Your Flashlights, Candles, and Halloween Decorations
Since Halloween typically has lots of moving parts from the decorations to the kids knocking on the doors, there are probably extra batteries and candles laying around. Make sure to place candles out of reach from your dog to avoid burns, and be sure to keep batteries hidden away in drawers so they don’t get eaten.
7. Keep An Eye on Your Dog’s Behavior
Dogs are very good at showing us when they are uncomfortable. Be sure to keep an eye on them throughout the day and night to see how they are feeling. That way you know when they are in need of basics like food and water, or if they are overwhelmed by their surroundings.
Dog Safety Comes First
Halloween can be an exciting holiday, especially with your canine companion by your side. But this holiday is also full of hazards that you need to be cautious of to ensure that both you and your pooch have a spooky and fun night. Contact our team to help prepare your dog for Halloween or any holiday where there are plenty of moving parts.