The spookiest time of the year is almost upon us. Have you prepared your puppy for the festivities?
Halloween is a fun time for the whole family but it does present unique hazards for our pups that we need to prepare for! Costumes, chocolate, and candy, decorations, plus an influx of strangers stopping by -- there are plentiful opportunities for young puppies to get up to mischief. Here are seven super helpful safety tips for you to keep your puppy safe during Halloween!
1. No Treats
Aside from chocolate, hard candy, gum, chocolate-covered raisins, certain nuts, and other sugary treats can be toxic for puppies. And young puppies especially will get up to all sorts of tricks (i.e. counter-surfing!) to get their paws on unsupervised candy bowls. Keep your candy well out of their reach, preferably stored in a puppy-proof container, to avoid your puppy potentially getting sick from ingesting candy.
And don’t forget to throw away any candy and chocolate wrappers! Cellophane and tin foil are two of the most common wrappers for candy and chocolate, and they’re irresistible to puppies! If ingested they can create a blockage in your pup’s airways or digestive tract and be lethal. If you do suspect that your puppy has ingested something harmful, reach out to your veterinarian immediately or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
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2. Dangerous Halloween Decor
Part of Halloween festivities includes getting the house prepped with frightful decor but these items can pose particular harm to our pups. Since most Halloween activities occur at night, you may be utilizing electrical cords, batteries, and candles around the house. Curious pups can easily chew on an exposed wire or sniff too close to candle flames resulting in burns. And an excited wagging tail could easily knock down lit candles and pose a fire risk. Make sure to secure all cords and restrict access to areas that may increase the chance of your pup getting into something they shouldn't!
3. Frightful Costumes
@winstonofthenorth
As fun as it is to come up with ideas to dress up your puppy, some of the costumes out there can be restricting and have a few safety concerns. Costumes could result in overheating and difficulty breathing if it’s constricting on their body or around their neck. Take some time to measure your pup and find something that’s comfortable and easy for them to move around in. Accessories on costumes like elastic bands, beads, sparkles, buttons, ribbons, or other dangling add-ons are immediate chew targets that could create a blockage in an airway or intestine if swallowed. As with many things related to growing pups, make sure to supervise them when they’re all dressed up!
But looking out for hazardous puppy costumes isn’t the only thing to keep in mind. Pups don’t just naturally love costumes and it can be scary the first time they see someone dressed up and cause them unnecessary stress. That’s one of the reasons that we emphasize socializing your puppy to different people and even different outfits. It may seem silly but spending a few days beforehand dressing in different accessories for example can help your puppy learn that costumes aren’t scary at all!
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4. Fright Flight
If Halloween trick-or-treating is a popular activity in your area, the influx of visitors ringing or knocking on your door could be another stressor to puppies. Socializing your puppy with doorbell and knocking sounds, and teaching them that these are normal everyday occurrences before Halloween can help your puppy feel more comfortable.
It’s easy for a young puppy to get spooked and make a run for it. If you know you may have trick-or-treaters coming by your home most of the night or if you’re hosting a Halloween get together, secure the doors so your puppy doesn’t have the opportunity to run out. You might even consider keeping your puppy secure in another part of your home, place them in their crate before answering the door or have them on-leash with you, or set up a playpen for them.
Pro tip: Make sure that all of your puppy’s identification is up-to-date, and that your puppy has their tag or some form of ID secured to them.
5. Trick-or-Treating Safety
@mochiwilbur
If Halloween trick-or-treating is happening in your area this year and you plan to have your puppy tag along, think safety first especially on a dark street! Add a light-up collar or a reflective vest to your puppy’s costume to make sure that oncoming cars and cyclists can see them, and you!
Being out amongst dressed up strangers, tons of Halloween decorations, plus sweet-smelling food is highly stimulating and distracting for a puppy. Don’t expect that your puppy will be on their best behavior walking beside you. Keep your puppy on a leash and watch them to ensure they aren’t running up decorations, or on unsuspecting trick-or-treaters, or munching on candy they found on the walk.
6. Keep Them Safe & Relaxed
If Halloween isn’t really your puppy’s thing, these extra measures can ensure they stay happy and safe. Make sure your pup gets some good exercise in by walking them and by practicing some training routines throughout the daytime when it's more calm, so they can both physically and mentally release any excess energy. This can help them settle in at home during the Halloween activities happening outside.
Create a space for them whether it’s a cozy room, their crate, or a playpen where they can relax. You can block out the lights and sounds from outside by drawing the shades or curtains, placing a blanket over their crate, or even playing white noise for your puppy.
And most importantly, keep them company! Hanging with them, playing with them, or just being present around them can help keep your puppy much more relaxed during Halloween. But if you planned on going out with your kids or to a party, schedule a puppy sitter to come for the evening!
7. Supervision is Key
Growing puppies are similar to young children that can get into all sorts of tricks! The key is not to leave them alone, especially when there are more irresistible treats and curious-looking decorations around the house! Whether you’re at home or out trick-or-treating this year, keep your puppy close and be on the lookout if they are getting into something that they shouldn’t. A little added attention during Halloween can ensure your pup is kept safe and that everyone enjoys the holiday to the fullest!
Happy Halloween!
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