As the Halloween season approaches, it is also time to ensure that the festivities are as fun, exciting, and safe for our four-legged buddies as they are for us.
It is that time of the year when you will see people dressed up in bizarre and laughable outfits, going door-to-door shouting “trick or treat.” And many of us are often tempted to include our dogs in the fun. But while we do that, it is also important to ensure the health and safety of our fur buddies.
Why not make the spooky season less frightful for your dog! Here are some fun ideas on how to celebrate Halloween with your dog, what are some of the most exciting Halloween costumes, and some essential safety tips to remember.
Ideas On How To Celebrate Halloween With Your Pup
With a bit of planning, you can make Halloween a fun time for your pups too. As long as you keep an eye on them and keep them away from any harmful tricks or pranks, there are plenty of ways for your dog to enjoy and make the most out of Halloween.
Here are some wonderful ideas for you to try out this year with your pet:
Halloween Dog Costumes
Getting your dog dressed in quirky and exciting Halloween attire is a great way to make them a part of the fun. But dogs can be pretty fussy when it comes to trying on new elaborate Halloween clothing options. If a princess gown or a three-piece suit doesn't make the cut for them, you can dress them up in some simpler alternatives:
- Put on a Halloween-themed collar or a bandana on them.
- Onesies with exciting prints, which you can DIY at home too, make for a fascinating Halloween costume for your pups.
- Customize an old t-shirt with a few spooky embellishments.
- A tutu is a simple yet fun and beautiful way of adding a little oomph to your dog's look on Halloween.
Dog-Safe Trick-Or-Treat
Just because the classic Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating involves candies and chocolates (which are incredibly dangerous for your dogs), that doesn’t mean our pups have to be left out of it.
To have a dog-friendly trick-or-treat around the neighborhood, make sure to keep the following tips in mind:
- Always asks for dog-friendly candies and chocolates. But, if you feel your dog will become restless on not getting one, bring a few with you so that you can feed them along the way.
- In case your dog has the urge to pee or release themselves, bring the required tools to clean after them.
- Train your dog to socialize with the kids and other pets they meet along the way.
- Make sure you keep an eye on the kids interacting with your dog. You don’t want them unknowingly feeding your dog any chocolate.
More Ideas For a Dog-Friendly Halloween:
- Host a Halloween party for all your pet buddies. If your dog likes to socialize with other pets and people, call them all over for a Halloween-themed party where you can whip up some fantastic dog-friendly treats.
- Buy your dog a new and spooktacular dog toy that they can play fetch or other games with.
- Wear a matching Halloween costume with your dog and hold a fun photo session with them.
- If both you and your furry buddy don’t feel like getting out of the house, watch a spooky movie with some popcorn and have a relaxed day in.
Safety Tips For A Fun And Safe Dog Halloween
If you’re worried about how can I keep my dog safe on Halloween, here’s a handy list of helpful tips to ensure your furry friend has a fun time at Halloween without compromising their safety:
#1. Keep the dogs away from any sweet treats. Chocolates and candies can be incredibly harmful to dogs. Especially ones that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which can be lethal for the dogs. Fatty chocolates, dark chocolates, and baking chocolates, which are abundantly found during this season, can lead to various pancreatic issues in dogs.
#2. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has advised not to put dogs in any fancy costumes that are uncomfortable or can cause them severe stress. Any outfit that is restrictive to your dog’s movement, inhibits them from breathing freely, or has any loose parts that the dog can chew and choke on should be avoided entirely.
#3. Your doors will be opened for visitors multiple times throughout the day. This puts your dog at risk of running away to explore and end up being overwhelmed in the crowd outside, or worse getting lost in the city. Be extra careful when you open the door to not let your dog out. As an added precaution, place an identification mark like a collar, a tag, or an embedded microchip on your dog so you can locate them in case they go missing.
#4. Pumpkins and corn, which are a Halloween staple, should be kept away from your dog’s reach. Although they are non-toxic in nature, if your dog consumes them in large quantities or swallows a large piece, it may cause gastrointestinal problems.
#5. Constant knocking and ringing of the doorbell can make dogs uncomfortable and distressed. So, make sure to keep them inside as far as possible from the main door.
#6. Pranksters are on the loose this time of the year. Please keep your dog close by so that they do not fall prey to any mischief.
Final Words
Halloween is a holiday people in different parts of the world love to celebrate. There are carved pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns everywhere, and we get dressed in our spookiest best and hog on candies all day/night long.
But before we get too engrossed in our own fun, it is crucial to consider the safety of our little furry buddies. Make sure to keep a note of all the above-mentioned Halloween pet safety tips so that you can celebrate the fright night without getting too worried about your dog’s safety.