Halloween is one of the most festive times of the year, and it is always great to get your dog in on the fun. While exciting, Halloween can be a difficult or stressful time for dogs, especially those that have anxiety or don’t like loud noises. While Halloween is all about good fright and good fun, you don’t want to frighten your pup. I’ve got some Halloween safety tips to help keep the holiday festive and fun for you while keeping your dog safe.
8 Tips To Keep Your Pup Safe On Halloween
Remember that Halloween can be very scary for dogs. Even seeing their owner in a mask or wig or looking different can throw them off. The doorbell is constantly ringing, people are coming in and out, and an overwhelming wave of new smells and sounds can create a stressful situation that can give even the most well-behaved dog anxiety. These 8 Halloween Safety Tips tips can help keep the holiday fun for everyone.
1. Utilize A Leash Or Crate
With so many people out and about, it’s more important than ever to keep your pet on a leash should they go trick-or-treating with you and your kids. They might be tempted to run to play with kids or other pets, too, so if things get out of control, it’s best to take Fido back home. Learn how to find the best leash for your dog.
If you stay home to welcome trick-or-treaters, put your pup in a crate, in a different room, or behind a gate so they aren’t tempted to run out the door with so many visitors coming and going. Containment is also the best way to reduce the stress your dog experiences from exposure to strangers. In addition, not all kids play well with pets, so keeping your dog contained will prevent unfortunate encounters between your dog and fearful trick-or-treaters.
Learn more about which dog crate is the best fit for your pup to be sure you have a place for them to feel safe and secure. It’s imperative to watch your dog if you have a senior dog or one who suffers from anxiety because loud noises are more likely to startle them.
2. ID Is Important
Costume or not, make sure pets are wearing current pet ID tags. If your dog were to get spooked and escape from home, they’ll be easily identified if they run out the door. (Luckily with so many people on the street he or she won’t get too far either!) Check out our review on best-personalized dog tags.
3. Minimize The Noise
Doorbells, scary costumes, screaming kids, and loud noises are inevitable, but try to minimize the spooky sounds as much as possible to not terrify your dog more than necessary. If need be, use a sound machine or turn on the TV to drown out some of the background noise.
The Humane Society recommends having a safe haven in a room where animals can feel safe, comfortable, relaxed, and tucked away from any hazards.
4. Keep Candy Out Of Reach
Pets often want to taste candy, but sugary snacks can harm your pet. In fact, chocolate can be toxic to dogs, while other sweets can cause digestive problems. Stock up on extra dog treats to give them their own goodies.
If your dog does ingest something foreign, keep your eyes open for signs of distress. These signs include:
- Vomiting
- Inability to keep food down
- Straining during defecation
- Blood or mucous in the stool
- Not able to get comfortable when resting
- Pacing
- Straining to vomit
- Sudden weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Refusing food
- Overall weakness
These symptoms may manifest over a period of time, but once they start appearing, you should not ignore them since your dog’s health can deteriorate rapidly. The appearance of any of these symptoms should be addressed by a veterinarian. If your regular veterinarian is unavailable, you should seek immediate assistance from an emergency veterinarian clinic.
5. Décor Can Be Dangerous
Halloween decorating often utilizes electrical wiring, which can be hazardous for your dog. Dogs that are prone to chewing can easily electrocute themselves by chewing through wiring, and electrocution is frequently deadly for dogs, particularly small ones.
Electrical wiring can also trip up dogs and cause them to become entangled. Entanglement can result in sprains, strains, fractures, and breaks, all requiring immediate medical treatment. One way to avoid these instances is to tack the electrical cord under the carpet or against the wall rather than allowing it to lie across common walkways.
6. Humans May Be Scary Too
Dogs tend to rely on their sense of smell to identify familiar faces. However, this does not mean that they are aware of the appearance of people in their lives. Not only do Halloween costumes make people look different than they usually do, but they also make people look like nothing dogs have ever seen before.
This unusual appearance can invoke a fear response in dogs. For some dogs, this response may involve “flight” or running away and hiding, but for others, it can involve aggression. Even a dog with a calm temperament can become aggressive out of self-preservation instinct. So, to play it safe, try to keep your costume to a minimum.
The best bet would be to keep your dog away from the action in a quiet room where he can be comfortable and not worry about people trespassing in his space, especially if he hasn’t been properly socialized.
7. Keep A Tidy House
Glimmering candy wrappers and Halloween costume accessories can be attractive to dogs because of how they catch the light and smell. While most dogs eat something foreign during their lifetime and pass it without problems, many dogs also experience difficulty passing these items.
When taking dogs out to the bathroom during Halloween, ensure that they are kept on a short leash and keep a close eye on them at all times. If your dog does ingest an item, use your judgment to determine whether or not you should call your veterinary clinic. Small candy wrappers can sometimes be passed easily, but larger or unusually textured items can cause medical complications.
If your dog becomes sick from eating trash on Halloween, your veterinarian will need to perform tests to determine the best action plan. It is important that you be aware of what your dog may have consumed to help your vet determine the best treatment. Most often, dogs with suspected obstructions will undergo an X-ray, an ultrasound, or a barium X-ray.
Each of these procedures is designed to highlight any obstruction in your dog’s digestive tract that could be causing its symptoms. If a blockage is identified, the vet may schedule surgery to remove it, or, depending on the situation, your vet may want to watch and wait for a short period before surgery.
Overall, blockages are painful for your dog and expensive for you and should be avoided. The best way to do this is to walk your dog in well-lit areas on a short leash during Halloween.
How Can Pet Insurance Help?
All dogs experience a medical emergency or accident at some point in their lives. It can happen on a holiday like Halloween or any ordinary day. Make sure you have pet insurance coverage in advance to help pay for any unexpected trips to the vet and potential medical procedures from Halloween and other hazards.
8. Dog Costumes Are Optional
While not all dogs enjoy dressing up for Halloween, some actually do. If your dog doesn’t like wearing costumes, don’t force him. No matter how adorable, forcing the issue can result in bad behavior. Only keep a costume on as long as your pup is comfortable, even if that is only a few minutes.
Either way, it is important for these pets that their costumes be pet-friendly. Only use Halloween costumes that are recommended for pet use, and do not use child-approved costumes, as these are not designed with pets’ needs in mind.
Keep an eye out for any tags, tabs, strings, or laces that can be chewed upon, and look out for any part of your dog’s costume that could become snagged, trapped, or could get grabbed by other household pets. All of these instances can result in strangulation, other injuries, or extreme stress.
Be sure to read our article on dog costume ideas.
8 Halloween Safety Tips For Pets Infographic
The tips are summarized in a handy infographic below.
Don’t Forget About Glow Sticks
Glow sticks can help keep people safe by identifying their location so cars can maneuver around them. That said, glow sticks can be problematic for dogs if they chew and break them open.
So long as the liquid inside is non-toxic, it will not severely endanger your pup, but it still might make them sick. This is when you should call your vet to check on what to do next. If your dog consumes too much of the liquid, he might start drooling and eventually vomit.
Funny Dogs On Halloween (Video)
Check out this adorable compilation of dogs in some very cute Halloween costumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s a lot to cover about Halloween safety for dogs. I’ve answered some of the most common questions below. If I did not get to yours, or if you have a Halloween safety tip to share, let me know in the comments.
Is Halloween Makeup Safe For Dogs?
Traditional Halloween makeup and paint are not safe for dogs. Some products are made for pets; be sure to read the reviews and ingredients. Steer clear of glow-in-the-dark makeup and fake blood, and only ever use products that clearly specify they are safe for dogs. Never apply any kind of makeup near your pup’s eyes, nose, or mouth.
Are Pumpkin And Corn Safe For Dogs?
It’s not pumpkin or corn that are problems. If prepared correctly, these foods are perfectly safe for your dog. While pumpkin might be safe, a rotting, raw pumpkin display presents a problem. If the vegetable is rotten or has a candle inside, it could cause a burn or upset stomach.
Many people reuse corn displays yearly, so they sit in basements or attics and accumulate dust and mold all year. For some reason, our pups are attracted to these and love chewing on them. It might seem fun initially, but mold and mildew produce mycotoxins, which can cause neurological problems in animals.
If you have a pumpkin or corn display in your yard or porch, keeping pups far away is best.
My Dog Ate Halloween Chocolate, What Do I Do?
If a dog consumes any chocolate, including dark chocolate, they can suffer a potentially fatal poisoning and require emergency medical attention. Chocolate is terrible, but many sugary candies also contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener used in baking that can also be toxic to dogs. Ingesting this substitute causes a rapid drop in blood sugar followed by liver failure.
It is best to call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately for advice on how to proceed. They might tell you to take the pup to an emergency room or watch them closely for any reactions.
Chocolate contains two toxic components: caffeine and theobromine. Both increase the heart rate and stimulate the nervous system. How sick your dog becomes from ingesting chocolate depends on how much it ate and its weight.
A mini candy bar is not likely to kill a large dog, but a full-size candy bar is. Certain types of chocolate are also more dangerous than others. Cocoa powder contains the highest concentration of theobromine, so you never want your dog to have anything containing that ingredient.
How Do You Calm A Dog On Halloween? Try CBD Treats
If you are unsure how your pup will behave on Halloween, it’s best to keep them away from all the action and play it safe. You might also consider CBD oils or treats to help calm their nerves. Learn more about the benefits of CBD for dogs. Above all else, Halloween should be fun for the whole family (including your furry friends). So remember these tips during your festivities to ensure everyone stays safe and has a good time. And if your dog is a monster, here are some training articles to get your pup on his best behavior.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Michelle has been a dog owner her entire life and is currently a co-parent to two rescue pups, Barley and Lily. Michelle specializes in pet insurance for dogs. She’s part of a team of dog specialists at Canine Journal who have over a decade of experience researching, testing, and writing about everything you need to know to keep your pup healthy and happy.
