Keep your dog safe this Halloween

Halloween is fun for people, but for a lot of dogs it's the scariest night of the year. The doorbell rings nonstop, strangers show up in masks, there's candy everywhere, and the front door keeps opening. Here's how to keep your pup safe and calm on October 31.

1. Keep them from bolting out the door

October is the second-busiest month of the year for lost and found pet reports, according to AKC Reunite. One open door is all it takes.

Put your dog in a quiet room or crate away from the front door before trick-or-treating starts
Use a baby gate, or sit outside and hand out candy so the door stays shut
Make sure their collar has an ID tag with your current phone number
Check that their microchip is registered to you with the AAHA microchip lookup
Take a clear, recent photo of them that day, just in case

If they do get out, here's what to do first, and you can post them free on Howlback.

2. Keep candy out of reach

Chocolate has been the number one pet poison for the last ten years, according to Pet Poison Helpline. Watch out for:

Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate
Sugar-free gum and candy with xylitol, which is very dangerous for dogs even in small amounts
Raisins and those little boxes some houses hand out
Wrappers and lollipop sticks, which can get stuck in their stomach

Keep the candy bowl up high, and remind kids not to share or leave their bags on the floor.

If your dog eats something: call your vet right away, or a 24/7 poison line. A fee may apply.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661

Need a vet after hours? See urgent and after-hours vets in the Valley.

A small rescue dog in a pink princess costume with a tiara — Coco the rescue dog as a princess. Photo: Judy Beth Morris on Unsplash

3. Pick a costume they're comfy in

Some dogs love dressing up, and some hate it. Both are fine.

Try it on a few days before, and take it off if they seem stressed
Make sure they can walk, see, hear, breathe, and bark normally
Skip anything with small pieces they could chew off and swallow
Never leave a dog alone in a costume
A festive bandana is a great option for dogs who don't like outfits

4. Watch the decorations

Glow sticks taste bitter and can make dogs drool if they bite one
Candles in jack-o'-lanterns can get knocked over by a wagging tail
Keep cords for lights and fog machines out of chewing range
Fake cobwebs can tangle paws or get eaten

5. Trick-or-treating with your dog

If your dog is calm around crowds and loves people, bringing them along can be fun.

Use a reflective collar or leash and a light, since it gets dark early
Keep them on a short leash, never a retractable one
Valley evenings can still be warm in late October, so bring water
If your dog gets nervous around kids in masks, let them stay home

A dog dressed up in a white ghost costume — Photo: Megan Dujardin on Unsplash

6. Help a nervous dog relax

Turn on the TV or some music to cover the doorbell
Give them a long-lasting chew or a stuffed treat toy
Stay calm yourself, since dogs pick up on your mood
If your dog has bad anxiety with noise, ask your vet about calming options well before the 31st

Happy Halloween from Howlback! 🎃🐾

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