How to have a safe Halloween with your dog
Halloween can be a really fun holiday, but for pet owners, it's important to make sure your dogs are protected. Taking Halloween safety precautions and offering Halloween dog-safe treats doesn't have to be terrifying.
We've put together a guide that will help you make sure your pet enjoys Halloween too. Just remember that puppies are navigating new sights and smells for the first time. This might make them more nervous than usual, and that's ok!
Halloween safety precautions
You can still enjoy the holiday as you always have, it’s just important to make it as safe for your pet as possible. We’ve put together a handy guide to help you make your Halloween puppy friendly.
1. Keep candles or anything with a flame well out of the reach of waggy tails.
2. Never leave harmful foods in line of sight. Always keep them placed high up and never leave your pet unattended.
3. If you’re worried about trick-or-treaters disturbing your nervous pet, consider putting up a sign to explain you won’t be answering the door.
4. Carry out walks while it’s still light outside, there’s less likely to be fireworks and trick-or-treaters around.
5. Keep your pet indoors during the night of Halloween.
6. Close curtains and keep windows shut to keep out noise and flashes from fireworks.
If you’re using Halloween decorations, try to avoid things that can be ripped or have smaller parts.
Halloween dangers to dogs
Hopefully, your puppy will enjoy Halloween, but there are some dog safety things you need to be aware of. Not everything that humans can eat and play with is safe for our pets. So, we’ve put together a handy list of Halloween dog dangers.
Halloween food dangers
- Sweets and chewing gum
- Chocolate of any kind
- Foods with a high salt content
- Foods containing a lot of fat
- Spicy foods
- Foods with a high salt content
- Nuts or food containing nuts
- Grapes and raisins
Decorations dangerous to dogs
- Plastic Halloween decorations
- Candles (both in Pumpkins and out)
- Pumpkins (raw)
- Halloween décor that’s toxic to dogs when consumed
Trick-or-treater hazards to pets
- They may leave behind sweet wrappers
- Dropped sweets or chocolates
- Broken bits of Halloween costumes
- They might make your pup nervous with their noise and costumes
The dangers of dog dressing up costumes
Although many owners may enjoy dressing up their pets, make sure your dog is comfortable with wearing clothes first.
If you’re choosing to dress your pet, opt for something that won’t irritate their skin, is fireproof, and is non-toxic.
Top 10 dog costume ideas for Halloween
Fireworks dog safety
Although not traditionally celebrated with fireworks, you might find that people will let them off. It’s recommended to walk during the day before they’re likely to go off. Keeping your pet indoors with the windows and doors closed will help make it less scary for them.
Keeping your pet indoors with the windows and doors closed will help make it less scary for them.
Dog firework safety guide
Halloween treats you can give your dog
- Cooked pumpkins can be fed to dogs. It contains a lot of fatty acids which can help improve their coats.
- Sweet potatoes are a tasty ‘sweet’ treat for dogs. It needs to be cooked before you offer it to them and never in huge quantities. Think teaspoon-tablespoon helpings.
- Dog-safe baked treats are a delicious way to make sure they get to enjoy Halloween too.
- Spooky-shaped dog treats are also nice to offer your puppy. Just make sure it’s part of a healthy balanced diet.
- Carrots offer a healthy source of fibre and vitamins. Either offer a small bit of cooked carrot or a raw piece to give them something to chew on.
What to do if your dog eats something it shouldn’t at Halloween
Most holiday events will pass without incident, but it’s helpful to know what to do if the unthinkable happens.
- Consult with your vet immediately. They are the experts and will be able to advise you on what needs doing.
- Make a note of what they’ve eaten. Including how much was eaten and when you think it was consumed.
- Don’t try and make your dog throw up on purpose. This can make the situation direr.