Dog Safety on Halloween

Hey there, TLDOM family! Piggybacking off our last blog, let's chat about safety during your Halloween festivities. While it may have been fun scrolling on Pinterest for dress-up ideas over the previous few previous, it's also important to consider safety. Your pet's routine may be thrown off just a little- it may take a few steps to help them adjust.

Candy –

Resist the urge to share your sweets (especially chocolate) with your pet. Gum, often artificially sweetened by Xylitol, is also detrimental to your dog. Keep those doggy treats on hand, so they don't miss out on that part of the fun! Check out The Cookie Rookie blog for a homemade cookie recipe your dog may love!

Costumes –

Your dog may be weirded out seeing you dressed up. Change in front of them a few times. That way, they don't leave the room looking completely normal and come back out looking like a strange human. If you are dressing them up, put the costume on and let them walk around the house a few times in advance. This is especially helpful if they aren't used to wearing clothes.

Trick-or-Treating-

·      Even on their regular walk route, all the extra people and sounds could be overwhelming – consider leaving them home for this; if you aren't fully confident, they could handle it. If the homes on your route are heavily decorated, and the humans are too, it may cause panic or overstimulation.

·      If you're staying home to distribute candy, be mindful of your dog's comfort level during all the commotion. The constant doorbell ringing could be bothersome. Provide them with a little bit of extra comfort in a room isolated from the abnormal busyness. If your home is decorated, keep power cords out of the way, and be mindful that pumpkin seeds can upset Fido's tummy.

It is ok to take precautions, and there are ways to get creative so that it doesn't seem like your dog is missing out on all the fun.  Dress them up, get them special treats and play a few games. Take lots of photos, especially if your family does themed costumes.  Celebrating is all about making memories! If you are looking for other Halloween tips for the rest of the family, head over to Austin Mom. Whatever you decide to do, make it safe and have a great time!