Halloween Candy is a definite temptation for Fido, and definitely off the menu! Be on the lookout for candy left out for holiday visitors, and also for the treats which little goblins accidentally dropped in the dark, in your own yard or on your walking route. You may want to keep a few appropriate doggie treats on hand, in case your pup becomes jealous from being left out of all the treat sharing!
On Halloween Night, will ‘Trick or Treaters’, or other costumed company be coming to your door? Repeated knocks and doorbell rings disturb many dogs, so perhaps it would be best to secure them away from the action on Halloween night. Keep them out of sight - and also earshot, if that is possible, especially if they are known to be ‘door dashers’. Keep in mind that many excited children will be making all manner of odd and unusual noises to ‘keep in character’, and often this is too much stimulation for dogs. Even well-known visitors may not be immediately recognizable, if they are concealed under strange-looking and strange-smelling costumes, so take care with greetings at your door.
Although we’d like to include them in everything (of course!), the weird sights and sounds of Halloween night might be overwhelming for your dog, and he may be happier somewhere familiar and less chaotic. Our Calming Plus formula is designed for this type of situation, and will help ensure an enjoyable evening for your pet and your visitors.
When purchasing or being near Halloween Decorations, be sure to consider your pet. Colorful plastic parts may look like ‘toys’, gauzy fabrics might present a tempting opportunity to do some chewing, and some decorations can be truly scary for a dog! Decorations with motion sensors which are designed to startle people with flashing lights and sudden loud noises can be a source of honest fear for dogs, and could even incite aggression. Candles and other sources of flame are often part of Halloween décor, make sure that they are completely out of reach of any pets to avoid injury and damage to property. While a little pumpkin in a dog’s diet can be a good thing, a jack-o-lantern complete with candle wax side dish would not be!
And… the Halloween Costume. This seems to be a volatile subject and a matter of contention, and I’d like to avoid any argument for, or against, ‘dressing up’ your dog. If you are going to do so, take the same care you would with a small child. Certainly do not expose your dog to any potentially dangerous chemicals, or any products or costuming that would could be ingested. Consider the dog’s mobility, and avoid any costumes which would be restrictive or binding, or be likely to entangle him. Ensure that the dog’s senses are not hindered, and that he can see and hear normally. By all means do not use any materials that are particularly flammable! Remember that there can always be unforeseen circumstances, and never leave a ‘costumed’ dog unattended.
One last item: take care when choosing or making your own costume! If your dog will be joining you for costume time, make sure that his leash cannot become entangled in it, and make sure that you can see and hear and move well enough to responsibly care for your pup.
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!