the best ways to keep your pets safe and happy this Halloween
We've had a long summer, but it seems like fall has finally come around! The crisp, autumn air, pumpkins and gourds decorating neighbor's porches and spooky decorations covering their lawns can only mean one thing:
Halloween is right around the corner!
While many of the tricks and treats that bring delight into the hearts of children (and adults too!) are celebrated happily at the end of October, many pets don't seem to share the same excitement of watching the eerily dressed stroll from door to door. If your dog doesn't like the mail man coming to the house every day, just imagine how they would feel about the witches and ghouls wandering around yelling "Trick or Treat"!
Luckily, we are here to offer some great tips on how to keep your pets safe and anxiety-free this Halloween season!
Understandably, many pet owners love to dress up their four-legged friends for the holiday.... because they just look way too irresistibly adorable! If you do plan on having your dog wear a costumer, however, there are a few precautions you should consider:
- Be sure to try on your four-legged friend's costumer before the big night. If they don't seem comfortable then it is probably best to just stick with a cute bandana; costumes that are too tight can impede the ability to breathe property and constrict movement which could result in anxiety, especially if their hearing ability is restricted as well
- Avoid costumes with dangling pieces, as they can be easily chewed off and pose a possible choking hazard.
- It's possibly for your pooch or kitty to be allergic to the material of their costume so be sure that they are happy and comfortable before allowing them to spend the evening in a new outfit!
With all of the candy being handed out and carried around, Halloween proves to be a night where your pooch is most likely to sneaking snack on one of the most harmful foods: chocolate. Make sure that all of the goodies are out of reach of your four-legged friends, including the decorative pumpkins and squash that might seem to be a tasty snack for your dog! Not to mention, knocking over a finely carved Jack-O-Lantern with a candle inside could pose a fire hazard!
If you have a high anxiety pet, it's probably best to keep them in a quiet room for the night. With all of the comings and goings of giddy kiddies running around the neighborhood, your furry friend could get easily spooked. Make sure that your pooch has their proper identification just in case they decide to bolt out of the front door to escape the chaos!
If you do decide to take your pet out with you, try to do so before it gets dark. It is much easier to spot candy on the sidewalk as well as decorations that they possibly may want to taste test! Some things to look out for are strung lights, fake blood and glow sticks (which are potentially poisonous), and fake eyeballs and cobwebs which could pose a choking risk.
With all of this knowledge in your back pocket, you and your pet should be able to enjoy a safe and fun Halloween evening together! Don't forget to share your cute doggie costume photos with us at Dan's Dog Walking and Pet Sitting!
Written by Alison Heyman
Alison has been with Dan's Dog Walking and Pet Sitting since 2014 and has loved every second of it! She frequently hikes with her dog Maggie in the woods (click link to watch the awesome video!) and loves playing with her on the beach. Aly is a major advocate for the use of all natural pet products and specializes not only in giving animals the highest level of care, but also in creating educational material for our clients on how to best care for their pets with organic solutions.
Sources: Humane Society; ASPCA
