Halloween is a fun time of year; filled with costumes, candy and eerie decorations. However, as a responsible dog owner, you are accountable for your furry friend’s safety and well-being during this time of year.
You might not realise this but there are several factors to consider when it comes to keeping your dog safe during Halloween, ranging from potential hazards to stressful situations.
Read on for important Halloween safety tips that every dog owner should know.
Halloween Tip 1. Costume Considerations
While dressing up your dog in a cute Halloween costume may appear to be a fun idea, it is important to prioritise their comfort and safety.
Make sure the costume isn’t too tight or restrictive, as this can cause your dog discomfort, breathing difficulties, or even anxiety. Additionally, avoid costumes with small, dangling, or chewable parts that your pet could eat accidentally – if this happens please contact a vet immediately.
Halloween Tip 2. Keep Your Dog Indoors
With trick-or-treaters on the loose, it’s important to keep your dog safe indoors. The constant stream of strangers at the door can make even the friendliest and best-behaved dogs anxious.
Halloween Tip 3. Keep Sweets Out of Reach
Halloween is characterised by an abundance of confectionery such as sweets, candy, and chocolate; however, these items can be toxic and fatally harmful if consumed by dogs. Chocolate in particular contains theobromine, a toxin that can induce vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties and even seizures in dogs.
Keep all confectionery items, especially chocolate, out of your dog’s reach. If you suspect your dog has eaten a confectionery item, such as sweets, chocolate or candy, contact your vet immediately.
Halloween Tip 4. Beware of Decorations
Although Halloween decorations can be visually appealing, some of them can endanger your dog’s safety.
To avoid burns or accidental fires, keep candles, lit pumpkins, and other open flames out of your dog’s reach. If ingested, decorative items such as fake cobwebs, small toys, or props can also be hazardous.
Check your home on a regular basis for potential hazards and keep decorations in places where your dog cannot reach them.
Halloween Tip 5: Check Your Dog’s Information
Halloween can be a chaotic time, with people coming and going and doors constantly opening and closing.
At this time of year, it is even more important to make sure your dog is wearing a properly fitting collar with up-to-date identification tags. This will help ensure a quick reunion if your dog escapes during the Halloween and Bonfire period.
If you have moved or changed contact information in the past year make sure that your dog has your correct contact details on their microchip. Microchips provide a permanent form of identification that can greatly improve your dog’s chances of being found if they go missing.
Halloween Tip 6. Provide a Safe Space
For some dogs, the loud noises, costumes, and constant activity associated with Halloween can be overwhelming. Make your pet a safe space, such as a quiet room or a designated area with their bed and familiar items. To drown out the sound of fireworks or doorbells, play soothing music or use white noise. This will make your dog feel safer and less stressed during the Halloween events.
Halloween Tip 7: Consider Alternative Celebrations
Try and consider alternative Halloween celebrations for your home. Arrange a playdate with a friend or family member or plan a Halloween-themed activity at home in which your dog can participate without becoming overwhelmed.
Remember that your dog’s safety should always come first, and with a little extra care and attention, you can make Halloween a fun experience for everyone.
