Halloween and Your Dog

Millions of pet owners are finding fun and creative ways to include their dogs during Halloween, while still keeping them safe and comfortable. This particular day can be a rather stressful time for dogs, with many people coming to the door, and plenty of noise outside as the children are busily trick-or-treating.


Also, many types of candy are toxic to your dog so it’s especially important to be diligent about their safety during the Halloween season. All of this doesn’t mean we have to leave our pets out of all the holiday festivities as there are many things you can do with them to keep them entertained while making sure they’re safe, relaxed, and happy.

Halloween Safety Tips

Of course you’ll want to make sure that any costume you decide on will be safe and comfortable for your dog. Be sure that there are no loose objects that they could swallow or choke on, and check to see that everything that comes in contact with your pet is non-toxic. It’s just as important to keep all Halloween treats far out of your dog’s reach as chocolate contains a chemical that can cause nerve damage, or even death depending on the quantity consumed.


Although it isn’t recommended for dogs and cats to be outside on Halloween because of all the potential dangers, if you do happen to be outdoors at night with your pet in their costume, add some reflective tape to make them more visible and be sure to keep a strong hold on their leash.


Also make certain that your dog is able to breathe easily, that the costume isn’t too tight around their neck, and that their vision isn’t restricted in any way. Wearing a mask isn’t safe for the dog, and probably wouldn’t be tolerated anyway.


To keep your pet safe at home during Halloween, make sure you have a separate area, away from the front door to put your dog for the evening. Make certain there’s no chance of your dog escaping when trick-or-treaters come to the house, and consider crating them if possible for extra security.


A quiet room, or comfy crate away from the excitement is the absolute best place for your dog to be on Halloween. To keep them happy, supply them with their favorite toys, plenty of treats, or rawhide chews to keep them busy until the fun has died down.

Here are some of the most popular Halloween costume ideas for dogs:

  • Angel
  • Devil
  • Clown
  • Bride or Groom
  • Royalty
  • Pirate
  • Prisoner
  • Superhero
  • Hot dog
  • Some other type of animal; cat, mouse, bear, etc.