For many dog owners, Halloween is a fantastically fun time to dress up dogs in creative costumes and join other fellow animal lovers at events where puppy trick or treating is encouraged. The DoodyCalls team is right there with you! We can’t get enough of your adorable dogs and we like to pile up the treats at our booths such occasions. We know though that to successfully pull off any holiday with a pet, you have to take a few precautions to keep them safe.
Keep Candy Out of Reach: To keep your dog safe this Halloween, keep them in mind when preparing for the big night. Store your Halloween treats out of reach. What’s yummy to the kids in your neighborhood may be toxic to your pets. This is especially true in the case of chocolate and sugar free candy, according to the AVMA.
Choose Pet-Friendly Décor: You may also want to consider putting all of your decorations up above floor level if your dog has been known to chew on unknown objects. It may sound like a no-brainer, but be sure to keep all lit candles away from your pets as well.
Create a Safe Haven: It’s also helpful to look at the evening through your dog’s eyes. Those adorable children in their creative costumes may look cute and harmless to you, but to a dog the new sights, smells and sounds that they bring to your house can be frightening. If your dog is barking more than usual, skittish or just plain old uncomfortable, consider setting aside a “haven” for them in another room. It’s also perfectly acceptable to crate them until the trick-or-treating calms down.
Microchip Your Dog: Be prepared in case your dog does manage to escape out the constantly opening door. Visit your local veterinarian and ensure that your dog is microchipped and that the information on the micro-chip is up to date with your current phone number and address.
Dress for Comfort: Last but not least, if you’re planning to dress your dog up for Halloween be sure to do a test run. Ensure that his or her costume fits nicely and isn’t causing them any undue stress. If they do show signs of difficulty in moving or breathing discomfort pick up a festive bandana and allow them to join in the fun in comfort.
We at DoodyCalls would all like to wish you a very happy “Howl-O-Ween.”