“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”
We’re on a fast track to the spookiest night of the year – Halloween is a night that rivals only the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve for how spooky it is to pets. This holiday can be especially difficult for our dogs who are fearful of unusual noises, ringing doorbells, and scary costumes that they don’t recognize as their owners. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead for our dogs to make it as stress-free as possible.
Below are some things to consider to make it a spooktacularly safe Halloween for your dogs.
Check your Pet’s ID
By now, you should know the importance of having your pets microchipped and wearing a collar at all times. But just in case you haven’t checked your dog recently, now is the perfect time. It’s especially important that your pet is microchipped, wearing proper identification, and is up-to-date on vaccinations during Halloween.
Let the humans handle the trick or treating
You might think your dog enjoys panhandling with their tiny humans on Halloween. The truth is, this is one the most dangerous things you can do. Taking a dog out on a night when there are scary costumes and lots of strange noise can be confusing and your dogs may want to do what they always do – protect their favorite kids.
Leave your dogs at home this holiday. Taking them along only sets kids up for the potential of being bitten and sets you up for a lawsuit. Walking dogs during trick-or-treating hours can also put them at risk of escaping and running scared.
Candy is toxic to dogs
Giving candy to dogs is a very big party foul. Dogs are very sensitive to sugary candy and giving them any sugar-free candy or chocolate can result in poisoning or death. Make sure your kids understand they should never share their hard-won loot with the dog and teach them the importance of putting candy in a place no pets can access.
If your dogs do end up finding a piece of candy lying around, make sure you talk with your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Hotline immediately.
Halloween is Your Pet’s Bedtime
The best place for your dog to be on All Hallows Eve is in their favorite crate or closed bedroom enjoying calming music from PetAcoustics and chomping on their favorite treat – like a bully stick or stuffed Kong toy. It may feel like you’re leaving them out, but a restful and relaxing time is what they really want.
Dressing Up Dogs
Costumes are a bit confusing to most dogs and coupled with the excitement of a holiday, they can be downright dangerous. Besides the obvious choking or strangulation dangers, most costumes are very flammable and a dog need only brush against an open flame or wag their tail the wrong way to suffer a terrible fate.
However, if your dog doesn’t mind getting dressed up, make sure he’s wearing a properly fitted dog costume and monitor him closely for signs of overheating or getting uncomfortable.
Let’s make it a safe Halloween this year – for all members of the family!
Do you have any additional safety tips for pet parents? Please, share your experiences in a comment below!
Enjoyed this article? Pin it!
