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Halloween is probably one of my favorite holidays. I personally love dressing up and seeing all of the decorations around town. (And boy, did our Philly neighbors go big on decorations this year!) But while we as humans understand that this is just a silly holiday, it can be quite scary for dogs. Why are so many children knocking on the door and squealing? Why are people wearing strange outfits? What are 20 foot skeletons doing on the sidewalk? To help keep your dog safe, comfortable, and cozy, here are some tips to consider this year during the spooky season.
Be Mindful of Decorations
We’ve heard it from a few clients that their dogs don’t quite know what to make of decorations. This year in Philadelphia, it seems like everyone is REALLY getting into the Halloween spirit with over-the-top decorations on every block. How does this impact pups?
Jack-o'-lanterns: Thankfully pumpkins are not toxic, but they can upset your dog’s stomach if ingested in large amounts. While some dogs would turn their noses up at the thought of eating a carved pumpkin, our dog would absolutely eat one if given the chance. (If you are using real candles it could pose a fire risk! If you are using battery operated candles and your dog ingests the tiny battery you will quickly have a medical emergency to deal with.)
BOO! Those decorations can be creepy! While our own dog is fairly indifferent to decorations, we have had numerous reports from clients about dogs on high alert around decorations. Some have even asked us to avoid blocks that are decked out with spooky vibes or head back to homes early for indoor fetch if their pups get stressed. Our friends over at Constellation Dog Academy had a great post about caring for a fearful dog during this season. Their advice is to keep interactions positive and know when to to take a break, and when to outright retreat.
Be Mindful of the Sweets
When you think of Halloween, you think of candy. Many sweets contain ingredients like chocolate and xylitol (a common sweetener in sugar-free candy) that are highly toxic to dogs. As someone who has a dog that will eat anything and everything, we’ve learned to keep just about everything edible out of our dog’s reach. (And sometimes we are puzzled as to how he manages to get into things.) To prevent any mishaps:
Talk to kids about keeping candy out of reach. Kids often don’t understand the dangers of keeping candy away from their beloved dog. When I was a kid my dog ate ALL of my Halloween candy because I left it accessible. (I learned my lesson quickly.) Let kids know that they might lose all of their candy (and their dog might end up very sick!) Sometimes young humans need practical reminders. Dog eats candy = sad kid = sick dog.
Redirect their attention: Are your kids (or you) digging into their candy stash? Is your dog hyper focused on it? What about offering a high-value treat to them to redirect their interest? A frozen kong might sound better than Sour Patch Kids to a dog!
Be Mindful of the Costumes
Is there anything cuter than a dog in costume? While we do it for laughs and Instagram, it’s important to consider our dog’s comfort and safety first. Not all dogs enjoy wearing clothes (or humans for that matter!), and an ill fitting costume can restrict movement or vision, making them anxious and likely to act out.
And for 2024 we are looking at record-breaking high temps. Most costumes will act as jackets for dogs. Most years this isn’t that big of a deal, but when it’s going to be over 80 degrees, a costume could
Comfort is Key: Opt for costumes that are made from breathable material that won’t cause overheating. Avoid any accessories that could obstruct your dog's vision, ears, or mouth. Dogs understand the world around them via their senses. We do not want to obstruct them during an already weird time.
Supervision: Never leave a dog unattended while in a costume. They might use the opportunity to try to remove it by chewing.
Remember, dogs are cute without costumes: While dogs in costume do make great Instagram content, some dogs just don’t love costumes. Remember, you can always opt for festive bandana or Halloween-themed collar instead.
Be Mindful when the goblins come to the door
More dogs go missing on holidays than any other time of the year and Halloween is no exception. This is due to the fact that their humans are often distracted and busy with festivities and merrymaking. Here are some tips to keeping your dog contained and stress-free.
Set Up a quiet area during trick or treating: Dogs do not need to be front and center during the candy-commotion. Give your dog a safe space away from the front door so they can relax. Put on a noise machine, give them a filled frozen kong, and let them chill.
Mind the Exits: If you don’t opt to keep your dog in a quiet room, make sure they can’t dart out when the door opens repeatedly. If your pup doesn’t want to be far from the fun, a strategically placed baby gate or long leash could help prevent an unintended flight.
Roscoe is snug as a bug! Planning and preparation can go a long way into keeping our pets safe and healthy, not only on Halloween, but during all holidays. When you think about how we celebrate, it normally includes food/treats, parties and commotion in our home. Taking the time to pause and think about what would make your dog the happiest during these festivities can go a long way!
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