Halloween Safety Tips for Dogs

Whether you actively participate in Halloween or not, there can still be some increased danger for your dog. As the holidays approach, it will get darker earlier. More people will be out and about, and there will be more cars on the street. Here are some Halloween safety tips for dogs to help keep your dog safe during Halloween.

You shouldn't force your dog to wear a costume

Dressing up your dog for the holidays is tempting. However, you shouldn't force your dog to wear a costume if they don't like it. The act of forcing your dog into a costume they dislike puts them on edge and makes them uncomfortable. In addition to creating a situation that might encourage destructive behavior, it may also trigger aggressive behavior they wouldn't normally display.

This is also why it's a wise idea to try out costumes in advance and let your dog get used to them slowly. It won't be an issue if they're willing to wear a costume. Make sure you’re picking costumes that fit your pet correctly and will be as comfortable as possible. Costumes that restrict movement, eyesight, the ability to breathe, or hearing can all create a dangerous situation for your dog.

Keeping Your Dog Safe

Secure Your Dog Away From the Door When Welcoming Trick Or Treater’s

If your house will be welcoming Trick Or Treater’s during Halloween, keep your dog secured somewhere away from the door. There is an increased risk of your dog slipping out when your door is constantly opening and closing. Plus, if they’re not fond of strangers or used to the situation, they can get scared, which could lead to them acting out or running away.

If your dog is used to Halloween and usually answers the door with you, keep them leashed and attached to you in some way. Even the most socialized and well-trained dogs can become scared and you don’t want to risk your dog running away if something or someone scares them unexpectedly.

Don’t Leave Your Dog in the Yard

One of the biggest Halloween safety tips for dogs is to not leave them outside unsupervised. Unfortunately, not everyone approaches Halloween with a positive attitude or positive intentions. There are people who steal dogs from private yards regardless of the time of the year. However, Halloween is known for pranks. Not all pranks are funny and some of them can be harmful and malicious. There have been cases of “pranksters” teasing, stealing, injuring, or even killing dogs and other pets on Halloween.

 So, even if you have a securely fenced yard or live in a safe neighborhood where things like that aren’t known to happen, don’t leave your dog outside or in the yard unsupervised. Keep your dog inside as much as possible at dusk and at night. When they do need to go out, make sure you’re there with them. In doing so, you can be there to intervene, protect them, and bring them back inside if anything suspicious is going on.

Use Safety Measures While Walking in the Dark

Whether they’re out with you for their evening walk or they’re joining you for trick-or-treating, you want to make sure you’re using plenty of safety tips for walking your dog in the dark. Visibility will be low, so you want to make sure you and your dog can see and be seen. Flashlights, reflective clothing, and more can be a big help when it comes to navigating potentially busy streets in the dark.

Make Sure Your Dog has updated identification.

Even if you take all the necessary precautions and plan to keep your dog inside during Halloween, you still want to make sure their identification is updated. In case your dog runs off or gets lost, collars and tags are a helpful start. They can help people identify your dog by sight as a pet and help get them back to you.

Microchipping your dog is also a smart idea as this will allow staff to identify and contact you quickly in case your dog ends up at a shelter. If you know you’ll be out and about with your dog, a GPS tracker on their collar can help you track them down fast if they run off.

Any holiday can be a stressful time for both you and your pup. Hopefully, using some of these Halloween safety tips for dogs can help make it less stressful.

Keep Halloween Candy Away From Your Dog

It’s imperative to keep candy away from your dog. Because certain chocolates are dangerous for your dog, it’s imperative to make sure it stays out of their reach.

Sugary hard candies, gummies, and more can all be tempting for your dog. Between the plastic wrappers, all the sugar, and other ingredients these candies contain that can pose a danger to your dog.

Be Wary of Glow Sticks In Your Home

Although glow sticks tend to be non-toxic, you can never be too sure. Even if the liquid inside is non-toxic, it tastes horrible. But, your dog won’t know that until they chew into it and get some in their mouth. If your dog happens to get into some glow sticks and chew one open, they may start drooling excessively, pawing at their mouth, showing signs of agitation, and even vomiting.

 You don’t necessarily need to run to the vet right away. However, you will want to offer plenty of water, a small meal, and/or some treats to help them clear it out of their mouth. This will help them get rid of the taste. If they don’t show improvement or their symptoms worsen, then you will want to get to the vet right away.

 If this is some drama that you would rather not deal with on Halloween, be wary of bringing glow sticks into your home. Or, if you do, make sure you keep track of them and that they stay well out of reach of your dog. This is especially true if they accidentally leave them within your dog’s reach.

Be Cautious of Halloween Decorations

When you have a pet, you have to be cautious when you decorate your home for the holidays including Halloween. It is imperative to follow these Halloween Safety Tips for Dogs.

Pumpkins Can Pose A Danger

Although pumpkin is generally not harmful to a dog, it can be if it’s moldy or decomposing. When pumpkins and corn stalks are used as Halloween decorations, they’re usually not stored in the most optimum of conditions. This is because they’re on display and they can easily start decomposing and develop mold or other harmful bacteria.

If your dog gets to them in this state, they can cause stomach issues, intestinal blockages, and more. If they happen to be moldy when your dog gets to them, there could be other health-related concerns as well. Some molds are known to cause neurological issues in both dogs and cats. So, you want to make sure your dogs can’t access these “real” decorations and that you dispose of these types of decorations quickly once you no longer need them.

Take Extra Precautions With Open Flames

You also want to be extremely careful if you are using lit candles for any of your Halloween decorations. Not only do you want to make sure these are well out of reach of your dog and aren’t able to be knocked over by them, but you also need to make sure you’re practicing proper fire safety for your home. In general, LED lights and LED candles tend to be better and safer options than open flames.

Artificial Decorations Can Pose a Danger Too

Even if you’re not using real pumpkins and corn stalks, you still need to be careful. Make sure that your dog isn’t chewing on your decorations or trying to eat them. Shards of glass, pieces of plastic, and other non-food items can wreak havoc on your dog’s intestinal system. These things can all cause blockages, sickness, and even lacerations may occur should these things be swallowed.

You also want to take precautions with electric or battery-powered decorations. Cords and wires should be secured and covered so your dog cannot chew on them or get caught in them. Battery-powered decorations should also be secured out of reach of your dog.

Value Dog Training – In Home Dog Training. For more information, contact us at 916-201-7080.

 
Value Dog Training – Mission is to improve the quality of life for dogs, and the people who love them.

 © Value Dog Training. All Rights Reserved.