Most people, especially if they have children, love to celebrate Halloween. But what about dogs? How can the holiday be festive for them, safely? Should you take your dog trick or treating? Here are some safety tips to keep in mind.
Keep things calm
If you are staying at home, keep your dog away from all the activity. Make sure he cannot run out the door when it gets opened for Trick or Treaters. If he is the type that barks at visitors, it might be best to keep him in a separate room. You'll definitely want to do so if your dog has behavioral problems, such as jumping up on people, or any aggressive tendencies.
If your dog is outdoors, be sure she is away from Trick or Treaters. You don't want any accidents or harm done, to people or your dog. Also, you don't want anyone to feed treats to your dog, either (see below).
Remember safety
If you decide to take your dog with you around the neighborhood, make sure to use a leash or harness, so you can maintain control. Dogs react differently to people in Halloween costumes. Some dogs see them, and hear the noises of toy guns and machines, and immediately get scared. Others smell them and seem to disregard the unfamiliar sights and sounds.
Be ready in case your dog suddenly gets frightened or excited and tries to run away or charge at something or someone. Your night of fun can turn into a tragedy if your dog injures someone, or gets hit by a vehicle.
Make sure your dog is visible
You can use dog safety lights, vests, or coats. You can use a glowing collar around your dog's neck to make her more visible in the darkness. You can sew or iron on reflective tape to his collar or costume. You can attach a dog or runner safety light to his harness or collar.
When walking near traffic, make sure you, not your dog, is closer to the cars. You are higher up off the ground, and larger than your dog, so you are more easily spotted by drivers.
Choose costumes carefully
If you decide to use a costume for your dog, make sure it does not impair her ability to bark, see, hear, or move. Do not force her to wear anything she doesn't want to, no matter how cute you think she'll be in it.
Most dogs will wear a bandanna, shirt, or dog jacket, even if they won't wear a full costume. So you can use one of those as an alternative, especially if the weather is cold.
NEVER feed you dog Halloween treats
Do not ever feed your dog chocolate. Chocolate contains a chemical that can be fatal to some dogs. My sister's dog died after she ate a bag of chocolate chips that were left on a kitchen counter.
Xylitol, a type of sugar, can also be poisonous or fatal. To be safe, keep all treats away.
The foil, paper, or plastic wrappers that Halloween candy comes in can also pose a danger. Ingesting these things can cause choking or intestinal blockages.
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