Surviving Halloween with your Senior Dog

Halloween is here! Typically this is a time to get dressed up and go trick-or-treating for candy. However, contrary to popular belief, this holiday is not only for kids; your furry friends can enjoy it, too! Help your canine companions safely enjoy trick-or-treating with these dog-friendly Halloween tips.

No candy! As tempted as we may be to give our four-legged friends the best Halloween has to offer, trick-or-treat candies are not safe for them. Keep your feeding Fidos away from all Halloween candy, especially chocolate. Be aware of where your trick-or-treat candies are located in the house and be sure that your pup cannot access them. Keep an eye out for chocolate-poisoning symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea and/or seizures. If you have any doubt that your dog might have chocolate poisoning, seek medical help immediately.
Safe costume. Find a comfortable and safe costume for your dog. Their mouths and ears should not be covered or restricted in any way. It is essential to introduce the costume to your canine a couple days before Halloween to ensure their comfortability and familiarity with it.
Interaction with others. With trick-or-treaters constantly knocking on your door, it is best to establish your dog’s ability to safely interact with other individuals. If your barking buddy gets uncomfortable or disturbed when they are around strangers, it’s best to keep them away from the door and restrict their accessibility to the outside of the house. If Fido wants to get in on the action, you may choose to take your daily walk during peak trick-or-treating hours. If your curious canine prefers crowds and trick-or-treating, please make sure to use a leash as there will most likely be more kids out and about this night. If your four-legged friend does not like crowds, please keep this in mind and maybe take your barking buddy for a walk before or after the ‘witching hour’ for trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood.
After-Halloween treats. The days following Halloween consist of a lot of candy on the ground that can be dangerous for your pet. If you have to take your curious canine out, be alert to any leftover candies in the grass or sidewalk. It is safer to constrict the areas that you take your pup to in order to ensure that they won’t come in contact with any unwanted trick-or-treat candies.
Canine-safe treats. Halloween treats aren’t only for people, our four-legged friends deserve a seasonal treat too! Homemade treats like our cheesy squash bites are a must this fall. Not only will your pup get a fun, new treat, but they can also participate in the Halloween festivities without the stress of a party.