5 Halloween Safety Tips for Dogs
Halloween is less than one week away and if you’re anything like me you can’t wait for all of the festivities to begin! Halloween is such a fun holiday because everyone can get involved from kids to adults and even our dogs! If you’re planning to include your pup in all the tricks and treats this Halloween, make sure you’re prepared by taking a few extra precautions. Today, I’m sharing 5 tips to keep your pet safe this Halloween.
1. Watch the Treats!
I don’t know any dog that doesn’t enjoy a yummy treat. However, the traditional Halloween treat of chocolate and candy is definitely not appropriate for our furry friends. Be sure to keep your Halloween candy in a safe spot this year, far from where your pup could reach it. It’s pretty common knowledge that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but other types of Halloween candy pose a risk as well.
If you suspect your dog has gotten into your candy stash, call your vet immediately for advice on what to do next.
Note: Do not try to induce vomiting without a vets guidance.
Instead of candy, make your pup a Halloween treat of their own with this yummy pumpkin bread recipe.
Dog Safe Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 2/3 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cup 100% natural pumpkin
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine egg, flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon in a bowl
- Mix together, applesauce, honey, pumpkin and water
- Slowly add dry mixture to wet mixture, mixing together thoroughly
- Pour into bread or bundt pan
- Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to 1 hour
- Cool on a cooling rack
2. Make Smart Costume Choices
What’s cuter than a dog in a costume? Almost nothing! Dressing your pup up for Halloween is a fun and safe activity to do, however, be mindful of what costume you’re choosing. Some costumes can pose as a hazard to our dogs if they contain small pieces that could be choking hazards or reduce movement or vision.
When choosing a costume for your dog, make sure it fits appropriately and do not force them to wear it if they seem at all uncomfortable. If your dog cannot comfortably move, see, or hear, find a better fitting costume.
For some last minute Halloween costume ideas for you and your dog, read here!
3. Keep Them Indoors
If your dog is at all a flight risk, keep them inside while trick or treating commences this year. While some dogs are just fine to sit outside with you as you pass out candy, or even walk along with you as you take the kids door to door, this is definitely not the case for all dogs. If you have any reason to believe your dog may get spooked or distracted enough to run from you, keep them inside in a safe place this year.
4. Make Them Identifiable
If you do choose to let your dog participate in the outside festivities, make sure that they are very easily identifiable. Consider a reflective leash or collar to allow cars and pedestrians to see them clearly. And ensure their name tag and microchip information is all up to date in case they do run off.
5. Watch Your Decor
Halloween decor is so much fun and the options are endless! However, if you have a curious pup, be mindful of what decor you’re choosing to put out this year. Items such as glow sticks, candles, and battery operated items can all be dangerous to our dogs.
If you have reason to believe your furry friend might let curiosity get the best of them, keep any decor in unreachable locations.