Top Five Safety Tips for Dogs on Halloween
Halloween is a fun, exciting holiday that we look forward to in the fall. For dogs, on the other hand, it can be confusing and stressful. Your dog might be frightened by strangers arriving at the door in spooky costumes, or they might be upset by the increase in noise and activity on your street during trick-or-treating. As long as you follow some basic safety precautions, your dog will make it through the holiday safely and securely. Just like getting the best dog fence to keep your dog in your yard, these safety tips are easy and effective.
Keep Your Dog Away from the Door
Trick-or-treaters knocking or ringing the doorbell repeatedly can upset your dog, so it’s important to keep your dog at a safe distance. Even if your dog isn’t afraid, they may recognize that when you open the door, it’s the perfect opportunity for them to bolt outside. Whether you use a baby gate, indoor wireless dog fence, or a crate, keep your dog in another room; don’t allow them in the front entranceway. If seeing the door will help alleviate their fears, keep them in a bordering room that has a view of the door. Wherever you place them, do not leave them outside alone, especially if you have an underground dog fence that allows unfamiliar people to cross into your dog’s territory accidentally.
Be Cautious with Decorations
Decorating for Halloween is one of the best parts of the season, and it gets you in the Halloween spirit. As long as you keep safety in mind, your dog can enjoy them, too, without encountering any dangers. With light up decorations, be sure to keep the electrical cords out of reach, covered, or otherwise concealed, so they can’t be chewed. Pumpkins often smell delicious to dogs, so keep them out of reach, too, along with other edible things like corn or hay. These items aren’t toxic, but they can be choking hazards or cause intestinal blockages if ingested. If you light candles, make sure they’re high enough that your dog can’t accidentally knock them down.
Don’t Feed Your Dog Candy
If you want your dog to get in on the candy eating fun, purchase special Halloween dog treats beforehand. Never feed your dog candy that’s meant for humans, because it can cause gastrointestinal issues. Chocolate and xylitol (a sugar substitute) are actually poisonous to dogs in large amounts, so make sure that all candy is out of your dog’s reach. Make sure your children keep their treat bags in a safe place, too. You should have your vet’s phone number handy, just in case your dog ingests something that causes them to get sick or act strangely.
Watch Out for Costume Hazards
Dog costumes are a lot of fun, but they can also be hazardous to dogs if they don’t fit properly. Try your dog’s costume on several times before Halloween night, and make sure it doesn’t cut off their circulation or affect their breathing. It’s better to get a costume one size bigger, so there’s room for you to leave on their collar or e-collar for an electronic dog fence. Small items attached to costumes, such as sequins or buttons, should be avoided, because they can be chewed off or fall off, and your dog could choke on them. Your dog should also be given time to get used to their costume, so you can observe and ensure their movement isn’t restricted by it.
Trick-or-Treat Carefully
If possible, you should leave your dog home during trick-or-treating. Especially if your dog has never participated in Halloween before, you can never be sure how they’ll react to all the costumes. It’s best to keep your dog at a safe distance, just in case they become scared by approaching strangers. Never let your dog off their leash, and make sure you have up to date contact info on their identification tags. If it’s dark outside, use reflective material or LED lights on their leash, collar, harness, or costume, so they’re clearly visible to passing cars.
Halloween is supposed to be scary, but in a fun way. The worst frights for dog owners on Halloween often occur if dogs are left unattended outside, so don’t trust your invisible dog fence or traditional fence to keep your dog in or strangers out. As long as you’re cautious, you and your dog will be just fine each year at Halloween! After all, accidents can happen any time of year, and simple precaution and common sense can prevent the majority of them.
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