Leaves are falling, nights are getting shorter and pumpkins are ripe. It can only mean one thing… it’s almost Halloween.

For dog owners, this is a time where dogs can use an extra bit of assurance that everything’s okay..

From scary costumes and masks to hazards like candles and chocolate, there can be a lot of potential problems arising.

But there is also a great opportunity to have an amazing amount of fun.

That’s why today we’ve put together this post to help you have an amazing Halloween with your dog.

From keeping them calm, to making them some tasty treats, let’s dive in and discuss how you can both enjoy your time together on October 31st…

Keeping Your Dog Calm And Safe On Halloween Night

Halloween is a fun night for most, but for dogs it could signal another change in routine that leaves them anxious. But there are some hazards that can come about on the night. 

If your dog has anxiety, knocking at your door by trick-or-treaters can cause a huge amount of disruption to their evening. This is especially true if you have a dog that will always bark at the doorbell.

Or maybe you have your own children that like to dress up and celebrate. Scary masks and noises can also be frightening to your canine family member. They might not recognise you in costume or face paint.

When trick-or-treaters come knocking, make sure your dog is kept in a quiet, safe space and away from the door. If you’re going trick-or-treating, try to leave your dog at home with another member of the family.

It’s also important to plan for other problems that can happen on halloween…

Lit Pumpkins

Carving a pumpkin and putting a candle inside is a popular tradition at Halloween. 

But these can be a hazard for dogs if they knock one over with an investigative nose or a wagging tail.

Never leave your dog unattended around a lit pumpkin, no matter how small the candle inside is.

Chocolate And Sweets

Along with trick-or-treating comes lots of Halloween treats. But these don’t offer the same delight to our furry friends as they do to us.

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs. This can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It is also a stimulant so can cause excitement, muscle twitching, tremors and heart problems.

Sweets can cause inflammation of your dog’s pancreas as a result of their high sugar content. Even sugar free sweets can cause problems because they contain chemicals such as xylitol. This can be poisonous to dogs.

So while you and the kids might enjoy the Halloween treats, just make sure to keep them hidden from your dog.

Choke Hazards

At Halloween you might find more objects lying around that could be problematic if swallowed. This applies both indoors and out.

From hard sweets and sweet wrappers to small parts of costumes or decorations, you don’t want your dog to be ingesting it.

Signs your dog is suffering an obstruction after swallowing something of this sort includes going off food, vomiting, difficulty passing stools and lethargy. 

Dog Costumes

You might think dressing your dog up in a costume might be cute. But your dog probably doesn’t agree with you.

Some dog costumes can cause discomfort, overheating and irritation. Or being forced to wear one might cause your dog unnecessary stress.

If you do want to dress your dog up, opt for tried and tested clothing that is comfortable. Many dog jumpers are Halloween themed and can make a great alternative to a costume – letting your dog get festive in both comfort and style.

How To Enjoy Halloween…

While Halloween might be a more subdued affair this year, planning for any trick-or-treaters or other disruptions is key.

Keep your vet’s emergency number on hand, just in case something does go wrong.

But aside from the doom and gloom we also have some great ideas to help you enjoy the day with your dog!

DIY Halloween Treats For Your Dog

Why should it just be humans that get to enjoy all the tasty halloween treats?

Here’s a dog safe one you can make for them…

Introducing: Frozen SkullBerry Sweets

Totally grain-free, takes five minutes to whip up, and delicious as a snack. So your dog doesn’t have to feel left out on Halloween.

Ingredients To Make 8 Treats

• 200ml plain natural yogurt
• 110g of blueberries
• Half a ripe banana
• A skull cube mould tray (Or regular ice tray)

Now here’s what to do…

Instructions

• Put all of your ingredients into a blender (Or mixing bowl).
• Blend together for 90 seconds until fully mixed together.
• Pour your mix into the skull mould.
• Freeze, until solid – usually 5-7 hours.

This will last your dog 1-3 weeks in a freezer bag so rationing them out at one piece per day is recommended…

Not only are these SkullBerry pieces refreshing and tasty…

Both blueberries and bananas are great for your dog’s health and reducing anxiety. They are packed full of antioxidants which protect against the damage of nasty free radicals.

And if you ask me, they’re the perfect treat for this time of year.

There are many other foods that can help to protect your dog against stress too. Check out last week’s post to find out more.

Pumpkin Spotting

This year, Halloween is going to be a little different. But many people are still deciding to decorate their homes.

It is important to walk your dog before nightfall and before the trick-or-treating starts. But why not see how many pumpkins and decorations you can spot on the way?

A Final Few Notes…

With the right precautions, Halloween can be a fun time for both you and your dog.

And if you need a helping hand with an anxiety caused, Relax+Restore could help. Filled with natural nutrients and herbs then delivered in the form of a tasty calming chew. It can help promote relaxation – naturally. To find out more take a look at our website.

However you choose to celebrate, the most important thing is to stay in touch with your dog’s needs. So you can both enjoy the day, without a hitch.

References

thekennelclub.org.uk

thebark.com

dogstrust.org.uk