**Posting a bit early this year**
Halloween Safety Tips for Dog Families
More dogs die or run away from home on Halloween than any other holiday!
Here are some ideas to help keep YOUR dog safe on Halloween:
1) Beware of the candy!
Keep it in sealed containers and out of reach of your dog. If your dog can get to it, he will! Remember that chocolate … even in small amounts … can be deadly to some dogs. Empty candy wrappers can be just as dangerous to your dog. He will go after those wrappers and they can get stuck in the digestive track and make him ill or cause death, so be sure your trash is not accessible to your pet. Be sure to remind your kids not to share their treats with the family pets!
2) Carefully choose a costume!
It is best to leave your dog at home when you go trick-or-treating. But if your dog is going trick or treating with you, the best costume for your dog is simply a holiday bandana. Be careful of any costumes that restrict your dog’s vision. Dogs depend upon their peripheral vision to know what is going on around them. Even the nicest of dogs can get snippy if unable to see what’s around him. Plus be sure any costume doesn’t hang down to the ground, causing your dog to stumble. Also be sure your dog’s costume is fire retardant in case your dog comes into contact with pumpkins lit with candles, luminaries, etc.
If you do take your dog with you while trick-or-treating, be prepared at all times and maintain constant control of your dog. Don't let your dog go to the door of a house. Stay aware of your surroundings! Dogs don't understand that the person jumping out at you saying "Boo!" won't hurt you. The dog may think he/she needs to protect you, and may act aggressively towards that person (whether adult or child).
3) Watch the decorations!
Make sure all decorations are out of your dog’s reach. Beware of small and shiny objects that will attract your dog, who will want to chew it. You don’t want to end the night with a trip to an emergency vet hospital!
4) Best thing to do: Keep your dog in a safe place!
Halloween is a very anxious time for most dogs. Lots of doorbells ringing, kids screaming “Trick or Treat”, doors constantly being opened and closed, and lots of activity (and candy) that can lead to trouble. On top of that, many families love dressing up their dog, but the dog doesn't really like it. From the excitement and added stress, dogs often escape from their homes on Halloween, or may bite a child who comes to your door, or eats a basket of candy. There are so many ways a bad thing can happen to your pet that afternoon or evening!
So put your dog in a safe place in your home … or at least on a leash that you hold onto each time the door is opened. And be sure your dog is wearing ID tags .... just in case.
Have a ghoulishly fun .... and SAFE ... Halloween!
*Thank you to People Magazine for this informative article*
17 comments:
Those are great tips and very important ones! We want all of our doggie friends to stay safe.
great tips!!! we will be eggs-tra careful because it is phenny's furst howl-o-ween, I don't give candy away, I always have small jigsaws, toys or keyrings for the kids... but we have to find a place for phenny, he will turn into a missile when the doorbell rings 87 times ;O)
These are great tips. That costume in the last picture is adorable. Also in the last post Juliet looks adorable. I don't know why but for some reason I have the hardest time trying to get your comment section to show up. I couldn't get it to work for the last post
Excellent tips....thankfully most of the kiddos we knew are no longer living near us and due to the fact that so many people bus their children into our neighborhood we no longer turn on our porch light on Halloween so no door bells to worry the Diva
Hugs madi and mom
Some good tips to get those hooman's brains in gear!
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
We no longer participate in trick or treating in our neighborhood but it used to be so much fun! We always put the boys in their bedroom if we are going to be opening the door.
Good advice indeed! I usually get to spend Halloween in ghostwriter's office. She stays with me in there. But she opens the window so that I can see the kids running around in their costumes.
I am guessing you don't participate because it got too CRAZY?? My daughter's neighborhood is like that...TONS of kids! Good idea to put the boys away so they won't be near the door.
Lord knows the hoomans need ALL the help they can get!!
You aren't the only one with the problem of the kids being brought in from other neighborhoods! That seems to be happening more and more these days. We live on a rural road so don't get any kids. If I want to see the little ones in costume...I have to go to my daughter's!
Thanks Ann! I don't know why Disqus has been having "issues" lately? I actually have to switch browsers...to Firefox to READ the comments! Very weird.
BOL!!! We don't want Phenny turning in to a missile!! I'm pretty sure that all three of mine would go crazy if the doorbell was ringing that much too! We do not get any kids here...we live in too rural of an area. Great idea not to give candy! Little toys are a great idea! I gave tiny little cans of soda one year. When I really want to see the little ones in their halloween costumes, I have to go to my daughter's house.
Yes...it is important to keep our dogs safe. I almost had a heart attack last week when Romey got away from me....I tripped and his leash slipped out of my hand. He took off like a shot! Since we live in such a rural area...he ran across the street and into a HUGE farm field....if my husband had not been here, I never would have been able to catch him! Oh how I wish he would not run! I am very paranoid now.
Yes, the pickle is from Chewy too! I love my pickle - especially when it's treat filled ☺
https://www.chewy.com/starmark-treat-dispensing-pickle-/dp/50538
Great tips! We don't have candy around anymore...just silly costumes!
Well we sure can relate to that! Each year gets sillier!!😳
Ooh!! Thanks so much Molly! We might need to borrow mama’s credit card!!
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