Halloween Safety for Your Dog

Halloween is a time of fun and excitement for children, adults and even pets. However, for many family pets it is also a time filled with stress, fear and anxiety. To ensure a safe and fun Halloween for your dog, the family and your trick-o-treaters, consider the following options for Halloween dog safety:

Prior to the arrival of trick-o-treaters:

Take Your Dog For a Walk: By doing so, your dog will burn off some extra energy and feel slightly more relaxed before the evening begins.

Discuss With Your Vet: For high strung dogs, or dogs that bark constantly, consider obtaining a tranquilizer for your dog to ensure he is relaxed and undisturbed by the Halloween events.

During the Halloween events:

Crate The Dog: Dogs need to feel secure while also protecting their domain. To ensure a safe evening for your family and trick-o-treaters, consider crating your dog with a blanket and soft chew toys. If unable to crate the dog, place the dog into a separate room, with the door closed, to ensure the dog is unable to participate in the Halloween events. Be sure to leave plenty of food, water and toys to keep the dog occupied and re-assure the dog, often, by visiting with him in the room.

Backyard: It is highly suggested the dog not be permitted to roam through the backyard as this may disturb or frighten trick-o-treaters approaching your home. Additionally, the dog may become highly frustrated and anxious as the number of individuals entering your premises and, unfortunately, in rare cases, the dog may suffer injury or harm as, historically, some Halloween participants take place in Halloween pranks which result in harm to animals.

Following the Halloween events:

Clean All Decorations: Because dogs are overly excitable during the Halloween events, it is highly recommended that all Halloween decorations be removed from any area in which the dog may come in contact. Of particular concern are items which the dog may hit with a wagging tail or candles which may have been lit through the night.

Place All Candy Out of Reach: Because chocolate, in any quantity, can be fatal to the dog, remove all candy out of the dog’s reach. Additionally, be sure all candy wrappers and foil are discarded properly as wrappers and foil can result in intestinal blockage or suffocation if the dog consumes it.

Safety is the primary focus of all Halloween events. Most safety experts agree, Halloween can be a fun family event when all participants act responsibly. Because dogs rely on their owners for guidance, it is the dog owner’s responsibility to set up the appropriate area for the dog to rest while the evening progresses.