5 Halloween Tips to Keep Your Pup Safe

Halloween celebrations in the Bay State (including Boston, Worcester Springfield, and Lowell) are plentiful and pooches often go on parade alongside their pet parents in style. But the veterinary experts at Pet Health Network offer these five safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Dogs may not fare well Halloween festivities!

The noise and excitement of a party, or even a door opening to reveal a frightening visage, can be just as frightening to a dog as the noise on the Fourth of July. So you should follow the same safety precautions on Halloween as you do on the Fourth of July. Make sure your pooch can get a reprieve from the excitement if he or she needs to. It’s also a good idea to keep him on a leash.

2. Sweet treats can be deadly for your pup!

“Trick or Treat” snacks are a big part of Halloween. In the case of dogs, some of the more common treats can be very dangerous. Chocolate, in even relatively small amounts, can be toxic. So can xylitol, a sweetener used to flavor any number of candies. Even raisins (from that one neighbor) can be poisonous. The best approach is to keep your dog from eating any human treats and make sure the kids know the rule too.

3. Costumes are not right for all dogs.

Costumes for dogs are a growing trend but watch for any signs that your dog might be uncomfortable in a costume before joining in (growling, running, hiding). If you are going to subject your dog to a costume, remember that the same rules for kids often apply: Make sure the costume is easily seen when your dog is outdoors by using things like reflective strips or glow sticks.

4. Keep your dog away from candles.

One traditional decoration for the evening is candles (either in a pumpkin or on a table). A curious dog can tip over these candles with potentially devastating consequences. Make sure there is no way your dogs can tip a candle and start a fire or harm themselves.

5. Keep your dog away from pranks.

In recent years, pranks like “spider dog” have gained a lot of attention. These pranks usually involve using your dog to get a good scare out of friends or even strangers. This is actually very dangerous, and if the prank is successful it could result in injury to your dog.

Keep Halloween fun and safe for everyone!!

In the days following your celebration if you have any concerns or questions regarding canine behavioral issues, including dog aggression, food aggression, obedience, and potty training, be sure to contact your local Offleash K9 Training professional who is just a phone call away.

Getting dressed up for Halloween is something many humans look forward to each year. However, the same may not necessarily be true for our canine (and feline) friends. It’s a good rule of thumb to keep your cats tucked away safely indoors on and around Halloween so they don’t fall prey to superstitions and pranks that can prove deadly.

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