While we humans enjoy the spooky season, our pets might not always share the same enthusiasm. From strange costumes to unfamiliar noises, Halloween can be a confusing (and even stressful) time for our furry companions. With a little preparation and mindfulness, your pet can have a howlin’ good time right alongside you.

Costumes:

Name ANYTHING more adorable than a dachshund dressed as a hot dog. We’ll wait! A cat in a little mini cowboy hat? 10/10! We love fur babies in unicorn costumes as much as the next trick-or-treater, but it is very important to make sure costumes are comfortable and safe for the pet wearing it.

Try on the costume a couple of days prior to the festivities. This will allow your pet to acclimate, and you can check for any obstruction to their breathing, movement, or vision. If they show any signs of distress or they just straight up don’t want to wear it, don’t force them! Instead, opt for a festive collar or bandana.

Trick-or-Treating:

If your pet enjoys social situations, and does well around children, taking them along on a trick-or-treat walk is a great way to bond! It is important to be aware of your surroundings by keeping them on a short leash and watching for debris, like candy and wrappers. Lastly, don’t forget your poop bags. That’s a trick no one wants in their yard or on their shoes. Be courteous and pick up after your pet!

Some pets prefer to stay home, and that’s okay! If your pet is going to be home while you are handing out candy to all the little ghouls and goblins, remember to keep them safe as well. You can keep pets in a separate room, away from the front door during peak trick-or-treat hours. To help alleviate nervousness or environmentally-induced stress, try something like our Hemp Calming Soft Chews to make it an enjoyable night for everyone. Lastly, make sure they have ID tags and microchips up to date in case they escape and provide plenty of treats and toys to keep them distracted from the doorbell ringing and knocking.

Candy:

It is very important to keep the candy to yourself! There are many things found in Halloween treats that can be hazardous to pets. Things like chocolate (especially dark or baking chocolate), xylitol (often found in sugar-free gum and candy), and raisins (healthy snack for humans, can cause kidney failure in pets) can be toxic for both dogs and cats. Now, we know holidays can be chaos, so if your pet does get a hold of something they shouldn’t, having a quick solution can be a lifesaver (and we don’t just mean the candy)! Our Activated Charcoal Gel is a ready-to-use oral gel that absorbs and counteracts effects of certain oral toxins. And remember to throw away candy wrappers in a secure receptacle because they can cause choking or digestive blockages if swallowed.

Just because they can’t have candy doesn’t mean pets can’t enjoy a treat too! These three-ingredient frozen treats are a pet-safe alternative to human candy corn. You’ll need one or two small bananas, one cup plain, non-fat yogurt, and half a cup canned pumpkin puree. It’s easy! Just freeze a layer of plain yogurt in ice cube trays. Once frozen, add pumpkin puree mixed with a little yogurt as a second layer and freeze again. Finally, mash the banana with the remaining yogurt and add as the final layer. Freeze until solid before serving. Sub a little tuna for the bananas if you are treating a cat. Even the moodiest of felines can’t resist!

Halloween can be a great time to include your pet in the festivities if you keep their needs, safety, and comfort in mind. Have a safe, spooky, and tail-wagging Halloween!