So you’re all set for the perfect Halloween: you’ve stockpiled a mountain of sweets, carved a pumpkin that is nothing short of a masterpiece, and come up with the slickest costume idea there has ever been—it actually puts all other costumes to shame.
At its core, Halloween is all about thrills and chills—but when it comes to pet safety, we prefer to keep things horror-free. Over half (54%) of British dogs become anxious on Halloween as a result of trick-or-treaters and loud noises. Read on for everything you’ll need to know about Halloween pet safety and how to keep things from escalating to a scene straight out of Cujo.
Halloween pet safety for beginners
1. Proper identification
Caped crusaders yelling loudly for sweets can turn a perfectly easy-going dog into Jack Torrance a la The Shining in a heartbeat. A cracked door can begin to look like the perfect escape route to an unsettled dog so keep all windows and doors shut and block the cat flap or doggy door. In the unlikely event that your little buddy does manage to slip out the door, make sure they’re microchipped so you can get them back safe and sound. It’s also important to make sure that their ID tags are clearly visible and your information, including phone number, is on there and easy to read.
2. Take the right precautions
If your doggy tends to get skittish around large groups of people, you’re going to want to do take precautions beforehand to make sure they don’t get too stressed out. We suggest making sure your dog gets enough exercise earlier in the day to take the edge off in the evening. Ensure they have a fun toy to gnaw on throughout the night to keep them occupied. Buy a new one, they deserve it!
3. Keep them away from sweets
Sweets are a huge no-no for dogs. Chocolate is especially poisonous because it contains a compound called theobromine which is toxic to dogs and other pets, so keep it (and trick-or-treaters wielding Snickers bars) far away from your beautiful little angels. Goes without saying but keep that booze away from them too if you’re having people over.
4. Have the right kind of treats on hand
Make sure you do have lots of dog-friendly treats on hand to reward your wee mate’s good behaviour and for putting up with your stupid-looking costume. Treat them to something special like a seasonal pumpkin biscuit or if all else fails, a good old bone or some carrots or apples will also do the trick!
5. Let them get used to your costume
Dogs don’t like unpredictability or things that are unfamiliar. Masks are incredibly scary to them and if they’re nervous around people dressed in costumes just avoid them. If you’re going to wear a costume for the evening, try changing into it where your dog can’t see you.
6. Brief the kids
If you’ve got a bunch of kids who are dressing up make sure you give your dog the chance to familiarise herself with them so she doesn’t get overwhelmed. Take it slowly and introduce each of them to her one at a time, giving them time to stroke her so that she can recognise their smell and feel safe, rather than having a large group coming in wearing terrifying masks all at once.
7. Do a doggy dress rehearsal
Not every dog is comfortable in a costume. It may be the cutest thing you’ve ever seen but if they’re not feeling it then it’s just not meant to be. If you’d like to try dressing your dog up, look for a costume that fits more or less like a simple coat or jumper. Make sure it doesn’t have a lot of dangly bits, isn’t too tight, and that nothing will obstruct your buddy’s ability to see, walk, or breathe. Whether your dog’s going out dressed as a taco or a pirate, safety and functionality trump fashion. Introduce your dog to their costume slowly, let them smell it and reward them with treats when they allow you to bring it closer towards them and to slip their it over their heads. Take your time and look for any signs of discomfort or anxiety. If they freeze when the costume is on or try to shimmy out of it they don’t particularly like it. Bottom line: if their body language says they’re unhappy or they seem stressed, just forget the costume altogether. A simple Halloween-themed bandana or collar may be the perfect compromise.
8. Plan ahead for trick-or-treaters
If your dog barks every time someone comes to the door, you might want to consider disconnecting the doorbell or leaving a sign for trick or treaters letting them know to knock quietly.
9. Decorate responsibly
Clearly you should keep candlelit pumpkins and your dog’s wagging tail as far away from each other as possible, but things like electrical cables, candles, fake cobwebs, and small gourds should be also placed where your furry wee mate can’t reach them.
10. Listen to your dog
Trick or treaters, fireworks, spooky costumes, and creepy decorations can all scare your dog. Some dogs hate being left alone, whilst others love it. There are going to be a lot of strangers milling about the neighbourhood, and your dog will let you know whether they’d like to join you if you’re heading out or if they want to be left alone at home in peace. If they want to join you, great! If not disconnect the door bell and put them in a room away from the front door with the TV or radio on and a lovely new chew toy to keep them occupied. If they’re especially anxious why not just cuddle up to them while you watch all your favourite Wes Craven and John Carpenter films or hire a lovely dog sitter for the night?
Halloween can be scary for dogs but if you make sure to pay attention to how they’re dealing with everything, buy them a toy to play with, stroke them and stay close by so they know someone familiar that they love is there to look after them, you’ll get through it without any problems.
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