Top tips for dogs at Halloween

How Halloween costumes can affect your dog

This is the night of the year for dressing up, the scarier the better, but for your dog it can be nightmarish!

Wearing a Halloween costume around your dog

Scariest of all is when their own people, whom they love and trust, become unrecognisable! Their silhouette might be altered, they might be wearing a mask or face paint, and their clothes are made from unusual fabrics. These new and strange shapes, sounds and smells are an assault on your dog’s senses, and alien to the world they know and understand.

Whilst some dogs are chilled enough to accept this eccentricity, many will be deeply alarmed, and find the whole thing confusing and worrying.

If you are going to dress up, allow your dog to sniff the costume before you put it on, and then let them watch you so they can be sure it’s still you inside, and do the same with the rest of the household.

Should you dress your dog up for Halloween?

It’s no longer just the humans that get the fun of dressing up, there’s plenty of choice for your dog too, but is it really their bag? A fancy-dressed dog may make a fab social post, but the reality is costumes are likely to be restrictive, hot, uncomfortable and itchy – all of which could heighten your dog’s nervous system from anxious to aggressive. Stick to a witty little Hallowe’en bandana, more fun for everyone!

Halloween safety tips for dogs

Keep dogs safe around Halloween decorations

Often our houses are getting a bit of a makeover with props and staging putting West End theatres to shame! However, many of these things are made from cheap, insubstantial materials that an anxious or young dog may chew on, or swallow; keep a close eye on them at all times.

How to keep your dog calm during a Halloween party

Even very sociable dogs can find Hallowe’en parties too much with all the characterful costumes and noises. You’re also more likely to be distracted attending to your guests - perfect conditions for would-be escape artists or thieves hoping to hoover up the nibbles.

It might be kinder to keep them safely behind a baby gate, or create a den for them in a room away from the chaos.

Keeping your dogs safe when trick-or-treaters visit

Dogs are creatures of routine, and strangely dressed people coming to the door after dark, when most of us have ordinarily hunkered down in front of the telly, can be unsettling. Even friendly dogs can get overly excited and behave in an unpredictable way, which is also scary for visiting children – no matter how frightening their costumes.

Keep your dog away from all the excitement, behind a barrier or in another room. It is a legal requirement that anybody must have safe access to your front door without fear of harm from your dog.

Can dogs eat Halloween treats?

Halloween treats are typically in the form of sweets and chocolates, and often in vast quantities in open bowls – heaven for a greedy dog, and work-making for vets!

Which Halloween treats are dangerous for dogs?

Chocolate is toxic for dogs, as is Xylitol, a sweetener found in some children’s sweets and gum; lollies often come on sticks that could cause a nasty obstruction; and dogs are not know for unwrapping any stolen goods before they eat them.

Consumption of any of these may lead you to ending your festivities at the vets.

Can dogs eat pumpkin?

How to help your dog stay calm at Halloween

With all the preparations and excitement, it is easy to get carried away, but make sure your dog isn’t a casualty of the season. Speak calmly and reassuringly, and prioritise keeping them happy and safe, before you even begin.

When to speak to a behaviourist

If you have any concerns that your dog may behave aggressively to family members or visitors, consult a qualified and experienced behaviourist for help.