Halloween is two weeks away. Costumes are flying off shelves, candy is being purchased, and spooky decorations have been put out. Many families love to involve their canine companions in their Halloween festivities. They may dress their pets up in costume or even visit the dog bakery to buy their pup some special pumpkin treats. Involving your pup in Halloween is usually safe but there are some Halloween dangers to dogs that you should be aware of. The Perfect Pup is a professional dog training facility in Deep River, CT. We offer training, puppy daycare, a dog training day camp, and more. We hope you enjoy our article this week on Halloween dangers to dogs.
Halloween Dangers to Dogs
Avoid stressing out your dog the night of trick or treating.
Everyone loves handing out candy to all the ghouls and boys in the neighborhood but trick or treating can actually be a stressful event for a dog. If your dog gets excited when people ring the bell or knock on the door, it may be better to just greet the trick or treaters outside. If possible, it may be better to just leave the dog in a quiet room as they may be tempted to burst through the door and escape. You should also leave your dog at home while out trick or treating. Dogs may get excited from all of the Halloween commotions. A bite or lost dog can easily ruin all the Halloween fun.
Keep the Halloween candy stashed away from your dog.
Always keep your Halloween candy stashed away in a high cabinet. Many types of Halloween candy, such as chocolate and gum contain xylitol and theobromine which are very toxic to pets. You’ll also want to watch the children as they may want to share their Halloween treats with their furry friend. Make sure they know what treats are appropriate for dogs. There is a 24 hour poison control hotline (888-426-4435) from the ASPCA in case of emergency.
Be careful with your dog’s Halloween costumes.
Pet costumes are considered cute but you should always think about how long they will tolerate that costume. The costume should allow your dog to move freely and not obstruct their vision. Be sure to remove any chewable parts or objects that could be a swallowing or choking hazard. Signs that your dog might be feeling uncomfortable in the costume include folded down ears, eyes that have rolled back, a tail between the legs, or hunching over.