5 Tips to Keep your Dog Safe this Halloween

Serena Faber Nelson Founder & Pet Lifestyle Writer

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.

Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

It’s here! It’s here! Halloween is finally here!

We love halloween, so festive and fun and full of spooky things. However, some of those things aren’t always dog friendly. We want to make sure that your pupster enjoys halloween too! Here are our 5 simple tips to keep your dog safe this halloween.

1. Candy & Wrappers

We love candy at halloween, but sugary sweets and chocolate are not something you want your dog getting ahold of for obvious reasons. This year we are upping our candy caution since Xylitol is gaining popularity. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is HIGHLY toxic to dogs even in the smallest doses. Be sure to keep an eye on those discarded candy wrappers too! They are alluring to dogs since they smell like candy, but these can be a dangerous choking hazard for our little friends. Always keep these out of reach.

Image by Be Chewy.

2. Trick-or-Treaters

One of the best nights of the year is watching these little ghosts and witches go door to door collecting candy and shouting trick-or-treat (!). If you have a dog that loves kids and is comfortable around them, than this should be a breezy fun evening. However, if your dog is a little on the timid, nervous, or aggressive side when it comes to lots of kids, it is probably best to keep them inside and away from the door.

Image by A House in the Hills

3. Decorations

What is halloween without decorations? Maybe some glittered pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, corn stalks, and twinkly lights? If you know you have a curious dog who likes a little mischief, be sure to keep decorations, fire/candles, and electrical wires out of reach.

Image by Brit & Co

4. Costumes

Some dogs love ’em but for some dogs costumes can be super stressful. Be sure to test out how your dog reacts to the costume before leaving it on for the evening. Pay attention for odd or stressed behavior or allergic reactions (as some materials can irritate the skin). Also make sure that their costume is a good fit and they won’t get their legs caught on anything loose.

Image by Brit & Co

5. Parties

These halloween festivities are fun for us, but can be potentially stressful for our 4-legged friends (especially when it’s full of masked people they don’t know). Avoid any accidental trampling, spooking, or front door escaping by designating a calm and safe room for your pup(s). This way you can enjoy yourself knowing your dog is safe having a relaxing evening at home AND you don’t have to worry about your guests feeding your furry bff something they didn’t realize was toxic.

Happy Halloween, Pretty Fluffies!