SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR DOG HAPPY ON HALLOWEEN
Tricks, treats, surprises and spooks don’t often mix well with our dogs, so I’m sharing my 6 top tips with you.
These Halloween tips for dogs will help you keep your best friend happy and healthy on the day.
1 SAFETY AROUND SWEET TREATS
Sweets, chocolate, lollies and cakes are ever-present around Halloween. They’re delicious for humans but can be dangerous for our dogs. It is best to store sweets and chocolate out of harm’s way.
Lollies can be a choking hazard, the sticks are very sharp. When it comes to sugary snacks like marshmallows and cakes, not only can they contain dangerous ingredients like xylitol, they are also packed with sugar which can result in unruly behaviour. Just as too much sugar causes hyperactivity in children, the same goes for our dogs.
If your dog eats something it shouldn’t, especially chocolate, here is an action plan:
Contact your vet immediately.
It will help if you have the following information to hand:
What your dog has eaten, the % of cocoa in the chocolate for example
How much your dog weighs
How much your dog has eaten
When it was eaten
The vet may ask you to induce vomiting in your dog or bring them around to the surgery.
Keep the human treats away from your pets this year, treat them with all-natural, healthy treats instead!
2 SAFETY AROUND DECORATIONS
Keep pumpkins with lit candles out of your dog’s reach. These can be fire hazards but the scary carvings may cause your pet to experience anxiety.
If your dog is particularly anxious around your Halloween decorations, perhaps consider decorating the outside of your house only. Or you can ensure your dog has a safe space to retreat to, free from Halloween decorations.
3 DRESSING UP YOUR DOG
We may enjoy dressing up on Halloween, and dressing up our dogs may look funny to you, but how does it make them feel? Some confident dogs may not mind, but do keep an eye on how your dog reacts to the costume.
Dog Halloween costumes often restrict movement and can stress your best friend out. They may struggle to regulate their temperature with the extra layers and the costume could get tangled up in furniture and ornaments, resulting in an injury or breakages.
It might be best to avoid dressing your dog up, or if you do, they should be under close supervision.
4 KEEP ANXIOUS DOGS AWAY FROM THE DOOR
The noises and exciting front door activity may be too much for your dog to handle during Halloween, leading to aggressive, protective behaviour, anxiety, and even attempts to escape.
With the steady flow of masked strangers knocking at the door, it may be best to keep your dog in another room, with some calming music on for them. Ensure it is a room they are comfortable in, with a pile of their toys and their own special Halloween treats.
The last thing we want is for your dog to get lost out in the world on the scariest night of the year.
5 BUILD A SAFE SPACE
Ensure your dog has a comfortable space to retreat to, like a crate with an open door, comfy bed and lots of their toys. If your dog knows they have their own private rest area, they will be able to cope with whatever life throws at them.
This is particularly useful if you are having a Halloween party or if your dog gets anxious at knocks at the door.
Spray your dogs safe space with valerian, frankincense, hops, lavender or orange blossom mist.
6 WALK YOUR DOG BEFORE DARK
This should help you to avoid Trick-or-treaters. If you do encounter any, calmly walk your dog away and sprinkle some treats on the ground to keep your dog distracted with a sniffy game.
It’s great to get connected on lead walks. This will mean your dog is taking more notice of you rather than scanning the horizon for problems and fears.