Halloween can be an enjoyable time for dogs, particularly if you have any parties or gatherings with more friends for them to get attention from!
But Halloween can also be a dangerous time for our pups. Lots of chocolate and candy go around this time of year, and they can be harmful to dogs – they’re not a patch on the best dog treats – while decorations and lit pumpkins could also hurt your dog.
If you enjoy celebrating Halloween and you’d like to make sure it’s a fun time for humans and canines alike, however, you’re in luck. Pooch & Mutt’s resident vet Dr. Linda Simon and canine behavior expert Dr. Emma Scales-Theobald, PhD, have offered six key tips – so let’s take a look at them.
1. Keep chocolate and candy out of reach
Chocolate is poisonous for dogs, and even a small amount can make them unwell, while some candy contains sweeteners that can be harmful to dogs, too.
Meanwhile, says Dr. Simon, “It isn’t just the sweets themselves that are harmful to your pooch. The wrappers and packaging pose their own risks. Consumption of these can cause serious internal damage, such as blockages and other issues that could lead to your dog requiring surgery.”
If you're worried about your dog consuming chocolate, here's everything you need to know about chocolate poisoning in dogs (plus what to do if your pup eats some).
2. Supervise young children with candy:
Young children might not be aware of just how unsafe chocolate and candy can be for dogs, or easily forget – and they might give in to your pup’s pleas to share!
Dr. Scales-Theobald explains, “As important as supervising your children is, it is also well worth teaching them how to behave around dogs, to keep both them and your pet safe. This would be a great time to teach them of the dangers associated with dogs consuming sweets and chocolate as well as teaching them how to enforce the ‘leave it’ command with your dog.”
3. Keep lit pumpkins away from dogs
First of all, can dogs eat pumpkin? It turns out they can, but we don’t want them to eat too much.
Moreover, lit tealight candles in pumpkins can be burn risks for dogs – and the candle wax can upset their stomach, too. While candle wax is unlikely to harm them in itself, candles often contain chemicals or essential oils that might be more dangerous. Dr. Simon recommends sticking to natural and non-toxic tea lights, just in case.
4. Keep dogs away from the door
At Halloween, you might find all manner of visitors – and many of them, particularly trick-or-treaters, might be strangers. And while some dogs might enjoy the new people, even the calmest dogs could find it stressful.
Dr. Scales-Theobald says, discussing the risks around reactive dogs at Halloween, “If you allow your dog to free roam, the constant knocking and opening of the door could trigger a reaction that could put both your dog and the trick-or-treaters at risk. This could be the dog escaping or your dog jumping up at and hurting those at the door in the worst-case scenario."
So, it’s a good idea to set up a room where your dog feels safe, and you might want to use background noise like a TV or radio, and give them a stuffed Kong or a favorite chew.
5. Be cautious when dressing up your dog
Should you buy a Halloween costume for your pet? If you do, get your dog used to their costume for a couple of weeks leading up to Halloween with some positive reinforcement, and gradually put small parts of the costume on them – using treats for calm behavior, of course!
However, a costume shouldn’t limit your dog’s ability to move, be comfortable, breathe, and bark. Make sure you check the costume for pieces that could be choking hazards, too, and supervise your dog at all times while wearing it.
6. Ensure decorations are secured and out of reach
“Dogs are incredibly inquisitive, and they explore new things with their noses and mouths,” says Dr. Simon. “If you are someone that likes to decorate their home at Halloween, you need to ensure that all decorations are placed out of reach of your dog and are well secured to avoid your dog getting hold of them.”
If your dog does chew and ingest any Halloween decorations, it’s important to contact your vet as soon as possible, as they could be at risk of anything from an upset stomach to a potentially fatal intestinal blockage.
Want to follow all of these tips and ensure that your dog has the best time as well? Here’s how to throw a Halloween party for dogs.
Need some inspo for your jack-o-lanterns? Check out these cat pumpkin carving ideas that you can try at home
