For humans Halloween is all about parties, candy, and costumes. It can also be fun for your dog as well. But, there are some dangers your dog could face during Halloween. These are some safety tips you should keep in mind as you and your dog celebrate Halloween.
Dog costumes:
Dog costumes are becoming more popular every year. They are now available in most chain stores like Walmart, and you can purchase them for very little money. Let’s face it, most women go crazy for a cute dog in a costume. However, those costumes could be dangerous for your dog. Make sure that you choose a costume that fits your dog properly. If it’s too big or too small it can be painful or irritating for your dog. If you notice that your dog is bothered by his/her costume you should remove it.
The treats:
For children Halloween is all about dressing up and gathering as much candy as possible. For your dog, that candy can be very dangerous. Chocolate is one of the most commonly known candies that is bad for dogs. If you dog consumes too much chocolate, it can suffer from a wide range of symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.
It’s not just the candy itself that can pose a problem, the candy wrappers can also be dangerous. If your dog tries to eat a candy wrapper it could choked or worse it could develop an intestinal blockage. Make sure you keep all candy and candy holders put away so your dog can’t access them.
Fear:
Some dogs are afraid of people. This could be caused by many different things, and on Halloween it’s likely to be amplified. Imagine what it must be like to see all the strange looking people that smell funny walking around in strange clothing. It may be very confusing and frightening for your dog. If you notice that your dog is becoming stressed you should remove him/her from the situation. A stressed dog can pose a threat to people and other animals around him/her.
Getting lost or hurt:
As much as you may want your dog to accompany you and your children on your Halloween adventures, it’s best to leave him/her at home. Even if you have the best of intentions, and your dog is well-behaved, trick-or-treating can be very chaotic. There are people running around everywhere, yard and home decorations that can frighten your dog, and lets not forget there could be other dogs walking around as well. All of these can be distractions for you and scary for your dog. Even if your dog is leashed there is a chance that he/she can pull away from you, and become lost or worse, get hit by a car.
Even with the best of intentions, Halloween can be dangerous for your dog. Following these safety tips can help protect your furry friend during the Halloween festivities.
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