Dog Owners Beware: 9 Spooky Dangers Threatening Your Pups On Halloween

#1 Keep an eye on the candy

This is easier said than done. Dogs can be sneaky and get into the candy bowl when you're not looking. And with so many trick-or-treaters coming to the door, it's easy to forget where you last set the bowl. Don't forget to always put it in a safe spot away from your dog. Frighteningly, many candies are not just unhealthy for your dog but also toxic. Chocolate, especially dark, is considered poisonous for pups. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing and seizures. Find out what to do if your dog eats chocolate. Candies with the artificial sweetener Xylitol can also be poisonous. Be careful!

#2 Beware Of Doggy Halloween Costumes

Dressing our dogs up in little sweaters and costumes is admittedly pretty darn cute but costumes can be very stressful for dogs, and sometimes even dangerous.

If you have to dress up your pooch, make sure that the costume doesn't affect their sight, breathing, hearing, or body temperature.

Additionally, cheap Halloween costumes are notoriously flammable, so keep a very close eye on costumed pets at all times.

It's probably best to avoid pet costumes altogether even if your pup would look very cute as a little lobster or ghost.

#3 Don't Leave Lit Jack-O'-Lanterns Unattended

Almost everyone will have a cool carved pumpkin on their porch for halloween but it's important to keep them outside and away from your dog.

Curious pups love to explore new sights and smells, and a candle-lit pumpkin might be very intriguing for your pet, but a burnt snout can quickly ruin your Halloween fun.

#4 Move Anxious Dogs Away From Trick-Or-Treaters

If your pet gets a little hyper or anxious when the doorbell rings, move him to another room before the trick-or-treating begins.

However, avoid moving your pup to the backyard for the night, as Halloween mischief might leave him vulnerable if left all alone.

It's best to keep him indoors, in a quiet room, far from the sound of the doorbell and knocking. Provide treats and comforts to keep him calm.

#5 Scary decorations can spook Spot

For any holiday, you need to make sure your decorations are pet-safe.

Keep all electrical chords and wires out of your pet's reach, and make sure your dog doesn't chew or ingest any materials. Halloween decorations are designed to spook trick-or-treaters but they can also spook your pup. Flashing lights and large, dark figures like a skeleton or scarecrow decoration can give your pet a scare.

#6 Careful with your costume

It can be confusing for your dog to see you in a costume, especially one with a mask. Let your dog see the costume before you put it on. Whatever you do, don't change and then come out in full costume it can startle and scare your dog. Also, dogs can get excited by costumes with dangling material, like a tail for example, and try to bite it. Stand still and sternly tell him to stop if this happens.

#7 Don’t let the dogs out

With so much activity outside, it's best to keep your dog indoors the night of Halloween. Sadly, we've heard stories of Halloween pranksters teasing dogs and even worse. Totally not cool, but better to take precautions.

#8 Ensure They're Tagged And Visible

f you do plan on taking your dog out on Halloween, or anticipate your door being opened and closed often for trick-or-treaters, make sure your pet's collar features all of his proper ID.

Also, make sure your dog is visible to pedestrians and cars during nighttime walks with a LED collar clip or reflective vest.

While your precious pup should be tagged, chipped, and well-lit all year long, it's especially important during holidays, when the hustle and bustle might makes it easier for him or her to escape.

#9 Trick-or-treating isn’t for dogs

As tempting as it is to bring your dog out with you trick-or-treating, don't do it. You don't know how your dog will reaction with everyone running around, and even tougher, you won't know how people will react to your dog.

While you're on your nighttime walk, it's best to keep them very close. This will provide comfort from all the spooky sights, confusing costumes, and Halloween activity.

And as always, keep your dog on his or her leash at all times. No matter how well-disciplined, it only takes a second for a startled pooch to run off into the night.

Does your pup enjoy Halloween? How do you keep him or her safe on this spooky night?

Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE these lifesaving Halloween tips with other dog owners!