10/22/2023
Hello all my lovely dog owners! With Halloween quickly approaching, I’d like to share a bit on pet safety during this holiday.
Here’s some tips to keep them safe and secure during trick or treating time:
In the home:
Keep your dog on leash- this gives you full control of your dog when the door is open. Have someone hold the leash and be seated/standing away from the door so your pup doesn’t try to jump on/greet trick or treaters
Baby gates- setting up a baby gate in the home, restricting their access to the door, will help if you’re unable to keep them on leash. Please ensure the gate is not one your dog can jump over or knock down.
Crates/quiet spaces- crating or placing your dog in a separate, closed room, away from all the commotion, is one of the best options and will also give your dog a sense of security since they won’t be seeing all the people come up to your house. Please make sure you have either someone checking in on them frequently or place a camera/baby monitor in the room to watch them for signs of distress.
Enrichment- constant knocking on the door can be overwhelming for your dog. Offering them enrichment items(kongs, lickmats, filled bones, etc) can give them something else to focus on.
Tire them out- before the Trick-Or-Treaters come, do a high energy activity with your dog to get them nice and tired. This will help them relax more during the hectic time that is Halloween night.
Out Trick-Or-Treating:
Keep dogs on leash- no dog needs to be running around off leash during Halloween. The costumes are confusing and can be threatening to your dog, leading them to become fearful and unpredictable while out. Make sure they are on a secure collar or harness while on leash.
Do not approach doors- your dog does not need to go say hi to homeowners while Trick-Or-Treating. Stay on the sidewalk to avoid any accidental meetings with dogs in the house or humans who may not like/are scared of your dog.
If you see another dog, give them space- Not every dog is comfortable meeting other dogs while out in stressful environments like larger crowds or being with people in costumes. Cross the street or give ample space if you see another dog while out Trick-Or-Treating.
Please make sure your dogs collar is secure and their microchip is up to date. If your dog gets out, immediately report it to Animal Control so they can contact you once your pup is picked up. Facebook usually has a “Lost Pets” group for most towns/communities that you can also post to. If your dog is wearing a costume, have pics of them in the costume to post online so people can identify them easier.
And, lastly, remember that chocolate can be toxic to dogs in certain quantities. Always have your emergency vet and Pet Poison Control’s phone numbers visible and easy to get to in case of injury or accidental ingestion. Pet Poison Control can be reached at 1-888-426-4435
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
