Halloween is one of the most spooktacular times of the year. Parents, kids, and pets can have a great time celebrating the holiday together. However, Halloween also presents some particular challenges for pet owners, especially related to health and safety risks. If you have a pet dog, you may want to keep the following pet health and safety tips in mind as Halloween approaches. That way, you'll enjoy a Halloween that's pure fun and not one that's (actually) scary or painful for anyone involved.
Be Careful About Candy
Candy is an integral part of the Halloween experience for most people, especially children. However, it can be one of the most dangerous parts of the occasion for your pet. If you're giving out candy to trick or treaters, make sure you keep it in a place where your pet can't get to it, such as a bowl in a cabinet or very high shelf. Also, if you have children who will be collecting candy throughout the night, warn them about not giving the candy to the dog, since it can make the dog sick. You should also help kids find a place to stash their candy that is not accessible by their furry friends.
Since it's Halloween, or as we like to say at Scollar - "Howl-O-Ween - get your furry family treats of their own like Grandma Lucy's Oven Baked Pumpkin Treats and Blue Buffalo Health Bars with Pumpkin and Cinnamon! Yummmmmm...
Be Mindful With Costumes
It can be fun to dress your dog up for Halloween. Putting a costume on your dog is okay, as long as its minimal, comfortable, and not dangerous in any way. Test the costume on your dog before the night of the holiday. That way, if they hate it, you won't make them wear something that is uncomfortable for them or stresses them out. Make sure there is nothing on the costume that the dog could chew or swallow and choke on, and be sure to take the costume off your pup promptly if he exhibits signs of distress or discomfort. If your dog feels itchy in the costume or seems to be having an allergic reaction to the costume's fabric, take it off. You'll want to consult your vet.
Keep Dog Safe & Calm
During trick or treating hours, people could be coming to your home in a steady stream. Make sure you arrange to keep your dog somewhere that she'll stay calm and act appropriately around your visitors. If your pooch gets anxious when the doorbell rings, consider putting a sign up on your doorbell asking people to knock. Alternatively, consider leaving a bowl of candy on the porch for trick or treaters to take from without knocking or ringing at all.
There are also several products that help your furry pal stay calm such as Homeopets Anxiety Relief drops and Animal Essentials Tranquility Blend Herbal drops for cats and dogs. Put a few drops into their food before the trick or treating starts.
And, if your dog can't handle having people come to your house at all, consider spending that evening somewhere that won't be getting trick or treaters, like at a park or at a friend's whose house is more remote/in a less kid-friendly area. Halloween should be a time where families have a great time, not one where they have to worry about the wellness of their pets. If you learn about the particular risks that Halloween poses to your pup before the holiday rolls around, you can learn to spot and prevent any injuries or illnesses before they happen.