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Keep your dog safe this Halloween – from foods to avoid to dealing with noise
Seasonal holidays are a hazardous time for our furry friends, and while you should still be able to celebrate Halloween in the spookiest of fashions, there are some dog safety concerns you should be aware of.
Halloween’s weird and wacky traditions are now just a few weeks away, and while you might have already decorated your house from wall to wall with your unique Halloween style, you might have to make some changes to accommodate your pets better.
Don’t poison your dog this Halloween
Though we already know that chocolate is a big no-no when it comes to your four-legged friend, there are a bunch of dangerous seasonal foods you should be aware of including garlic and onion seasoning, grapes and raisins, and even sugar-free treats.
Thankfully, besides the leaves and stems, pumpkins are completely safe for your dog to consume. Just make sure they don’t have a candle in.
While you might be used to moving chocolate and treats out of your dog’s reach, the holiday could mean you have further dangers you’re not as used to considering. One example could be the fluffy popcorn trend, which is dangerous for both humans and dogs.
Dress to impress, but leave your dog out of it
Dressing up as pop culture characters is undeniably the best part of the Halloween season. You get to play pretend for the evening, swapping out the chaos of your life to be Superman for just a few hours.
Again, there is no denying that we all love to see a German shepherd dressed as Batman or a small Yorkie as the Queen of England. But ask yourself – do they want to wear this costume, or am I forcing it?
“Many pets can feel stress when wearing a costume – its recommended that unless your pet enjoys wearing a costume, you dont put them in one. If your pet does enjoy wearing a costume, ensuring that they do not limit their movements, sight, or ability to breathe,” Vets 4 Pets explains on their website. “Check the costumes for any choking hazards, and ensure the costume fits correctly – any ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects which can lead to injury.”
That being said, it’s definitely on a case-by-case basis and you should take into account your dog’s history with clothing items, their temperament, and reaction to the surrounding chaos.
Halloween decorations should be fun, not chaotic
If your dog is used to a very lavish Christmas then the appearance of orange and black decorations might not be a huge shock. If the reverse is true, you could just end up creating a monster of your own.
Not only might your dog wreck your house, but you don’t necessarily know what the decorations are made from. With that in mind, it’s best to keep them out of reach and keep the animatronics to a minimum.
It’s all in the preparation
Halloween can be stressful for dogs because of loud noises, unfamiliar smells, strange costumes, and just more foot traffic than usual. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to mitigate the stress.
The first and most important step is to create a “safe space” where your dog can retreat and relax if they feel overstimulated. Pick a nice quiet, dimly lit corner, and be sure to include their favorite things like toys, blankets, a comfy bed, and some soothing tunes.
Keeping your dog busy and tired is by far the easiest prevention method, so take them for an early walk before the spooky boys and girls come out to play. Once home, provide them with an array of enrichment activities to tire out their brains.
“Stuff a Kong to keep them busy. Have some ready-made for when children come to the door and give it to your dog to keep them busy and occupied while you answer it,” Blue Cross adds.
If all else fails, put a sign on your door reading: “No trick-or-treaters tonight. Nervous dog. Sorry for any inconvenience.”
