Halloween is almost upon us and with lots happening around the house and in your neighbourhood, this can be a particularly stressful time for your pets. So with that in mind, we've put together some tips to help keep give your precious pooches a peaceful holiday.
Trick or Treat:
Trick or Treating is one of the best things about Halloween, no matter if you're the one giving out the treats, or receiving them. However, whilst sweets and chocolate may be okay for us to eat (in moderation!), they can be seriously damaging to your dog. Chocolate (especially dark and baking chocolate) can cause chocolate poisoning in your dog, making a very poorly pup indeed. Sweets are no safer, as some use a type of sweetener which is known to be particularly bad for your dog, not to mention the risk of your not-so-canny canine eating the wrappers! If you think your dog might have eaten something they shouldn't have, contact your veterinarian straight away, especially if your dog is showing signs of being unwell.
Staying Indoors:
With lots of strange people wandering around, and lots of loud noises and unusual smells, it's especially important to keep your dogs indoors over Halloween. Trick or Treaters knocking on the door every few minutes can be very stressful for your pet and if you expect a lot of visitors to your home, give your dog their own space to relax in, away from the hustle and bustle of the front door. To keep your dog feeling safe and happy, make sure he has a warm secure space with a comfortable bed and a few favourite toys and blankets, and of course make sure he or she has access to clean fresh water at all times. Turn the radio or TV on, and the volume up so that it hides the sounds of fireworks and your house callers.
Going Outside:
As well as spooky costumes, Halloween is often punctuated with fireworks and bangers, and with hearing far more sensitive than ours these loud bangs can often be terrifying for your canine.Try to get out for your evening walk before dark before the fireworks start, and if possible in an area where there won't be lots of witches and ghouls walking around! Make sure you keep your dog on a lead at all times so that if they do get a fright they can't run off and lose their way. When you're letting your dog out for their bathroom break, stay with them in the garden and wait there until they're ready to come back in. A frightened dog can bolt pretty quickly, and can find escape routes your never knew existed. Make sure that your dog's microchip details are up to date, and that they are wearing an ID tag, so that if for any reason they get lost, there's a much better chance of them being returned to you.
Decorations & Costumes:
Be careful of decorations such as costume accessories as some parts may easily become loose and your dog may choke or become tangled up. Lit candles (including those placed inside pumpkins) can easily harm your companion – so keep these items out of reach and do not leave your dog unattended
Do not force your dog to receive any unwanted attention, even from family members, as he may not recognise his owner if in costume and this may make him very uneasy
Never force your dog to wear a dog costume or put anything on him if it inhibits the use of his senses, i.e do not cover up his eyes, nose or ears.
Have a safe and happy Halloween for all!
