Halloween is right around the corner! You, your family, and friends are probably gearing up for a fun and exciting evening filled with candy and costumes. While Halloween is a great event with fun for the whole family, there is one family member you need to especially look out for – your pup! Halloween can sometimes be a recipe for disaster for our furry friends. From candy to decorations, there are some aspects of Halloween that need to be modified for our pups. Here are some tips for keeping your pup safe and happy during this spooky time of year.
Taking Your Dog Trick or Treating
Taking your dog out with you around your neighborhood on Halloween may sound like fun, but it could also lead to some issues. Only take your dog if they are well trained and you know they respond to your commands well. There will be a lot of overwhelming things distracting them, like crazy costumes or loud noises. You’ll want to be sure your dog is on a leash and won’t be jumping on strangers, running into the street, etc. If you know your pup gets easily overwhelmed by lots of people or struggles to stay focused, it may be best to keep your dog at home. You can work on training and try again next year!
When Giving Out Candy
If you do decide to stay home with your pup and give away candy, you’ll want to make sure your dog is safe inside. With doors opening frequently and lots of trick-or-treaters, you may be getting distracted or leaving open doors. You don’t want your dog slipping out and running down the street. If you can, keep your dog on a leash even in the house. It is the safest option when you have lots of people in your home and open doors. You can also have other adults with you to watch your dog while you give out candy. Just to be safe, you’ll want to be sure your dog has their identification tags on and consider a tracking device if your dog particularly loves to “explore.”
Another aspect to consider is the many children or strangers who may interact with your dog. Your dog may not react well to being touched this much or this may be too overstimulating. If this is the case for you pup, it may be better to put them in crate in a quieter room for the night. You know your dog best, so use your best judgement to decide where they should be. If they are particularly freaked out, try putting them in a ThunderShirt.
Costumes for Pups
While your pup may look adorable in the costume you picked out, they may not love wearing it. Costumes, if worn, need to be comfortable for your pup. If you choose to dress them up, make sure it fits them well and they can move freely and breathe correctly. Pick costumes without any elastics or something your dog could choke on like a sequin, rubber bands, etc. If your dog seems uncomfortable or stressed in their costume, be sure to take it off immediately. Don’t force them to wear anything.
Decor and Candy
Halloween is all about the candy and spooky decorations. However both of these items can be a danger to our four-legged friends. Keep all the candy far away from your pup. Chocolate is very dangerous for pups, as well as many other popular candy. Put your candy on a high shelf when you’re not passing it out. Throw away any wrappers or trash quickly. As for decorations, make sure you tuck away any wires that your dog could chew on. With candles and pumpkins, keep your dog far away to avoid any accidents. Spider webs can also be a hazard if our pup gets caught in them.
Hopefully you feel more prepared to host a safe and healthy Halloween for your pup and family. Good luck!