Halloween Safety Tips

October 24, 2017

Halloween is a fun and festive time of year for us humans with all the costumes, candy, and Halloween movie marathons. Our four-legged family members, though, may not share the same joy and excitement for the holiday as we do. What’s fun for us can be scary for our dogs, so here are some tips to keep them safe and happy on Halloween.

No candy!
With all the trick or treaters at your door and/or in your family, you will probably have your body weight in candy laying around the house. None of this candy should be given to your dog! Chocolates and artificial sweeteners can be dangerous and deadly for dogs so don’t risk it. If you suspect your dog may have sneakily taken some candy, look out for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures.

Keep pumpkins out of reach
While they are relatively non-toxic, pumpkins can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large numbers. Be especially careful of where you put lit pumpkins as well. Pets can easily get burned or knock over lit pumpkins if they are left within reach.

Watch out for wires
Keep all wires and electric light cords tidy and out of the way. If your pet decides to chew on electric light cords, they could cut themselves on a shard of glass or receive a life-threatening electric shock.

Go easy on the costumes
If you decide you want to dress up your dog for Halloween, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind. First of all, be sure the costume is safe and not annoying. The costume should not constrict movement, vision, hearing, breathing, or the ability to bark. Also be sure the costume is not itchy or annoying and that your dog will actually enjoy wearing it. Try it on your pet before Halloween so there are no surprises on the night.

Don’t leave your dog outside
While Halloween is mostly harmless fun, there are people who want to ruin it for everyone with cruel “pranks.” Pranksters have been known to torment, hurt, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween.

Keep your dog away from the front door
With strangers coming to the door in frightening costumes and yelling for candy, your dog may become anxious and afraid. Your dog may also become territorial and growl at innocent visitors. Keep your dog away from the door, comfortable, and have a recall cue ready for if they get too close to the front door.

ID, please
Make sure your dog is wearing some kind of identification just in case he escapes during all the excitement.

Following these steps will ensure your dog can be safe and comfortable this Halloween. As always, if you have any questions, email us at Karen@sauteedogtrainer.com

Resources: PetMD

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