You and your children enjoy the costumes, candies, and trick or treating that goes along with Halloween. You mark the change of seasons with a jack-o-lantern, a big bowl of individually wrapped candies, and some crazy costumes.
But does this mean it's a fun time for your dog? No. And not only is this a frightful time for your canine friend but it can also be a dangerous one. Along with pranksters and tricksters, the night can also bring other dangers.
One danger that's often overlooked is the candy itself. Chocolate is toxic to dogs so it's especially important to make sure that your dog doesn't help himself to the candy dish. Also, be sure to check your yard the day after Halloween for any chocolate candies that might have been tossed by trick or treaters; you don't want your dog cleaning up after them and eating that tempting chocolate. Similarly, you'll want to look for discarded candy wrappers that can present a danger to your dog when ingested.
The very decorations that make Halloween colorful and fun are also dangerous to dogs. Jack-o-lanterns, thanks to their flickering candles, present a burn risk as does any kind of open flame. Other Halloween decorations like "spider's webs" can tempt dogs to eat them while special lighting can present electrocution hazards.
On Halloween night itself, take special precautions with your dog. If he's normally an outdoor dog, move him indoors. He'll have a more peaceful evening with trick or treaters coming and going plus you'll take any temptation away from pranksters who might cause him harm.
Indoor dogs that may normally be accustomed to a ringing doorbell and the opening and closing front door will also face special challenges Halloween night. The constant ringing of the doorbell and shouts of "trick or treat" can be unnerving to your dog and can cause him to bolt from the house. Make sure you have an up-to-date ID tag on his collar.
It's even better to move your dog into a quiet back room or the security of his crate. Along with the noise, Halloween costumes can be frightening for dogs.
If you decide to go trick or treating with your dog, be sure to keep him on a short leash. Watch to make sure he doesn't trip any trick or treaters and be sure he has a reflective collar on. If you dress him in a Halloween costume, make sure there's nothing he can chew and choke on and make sure he's not getting overheated.
With some advance planning, Halloween can be a treat for both you and your dog.
Professional writers and husband-wife team Paris Permenter and John Bigley publish DogTipper.com, a site featuring tips for dog lovers, by dog lovers. The extensive site include the Dog Tip of the Day, the Dog News Blog, and more. |
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