Halloween With Fido

Halloween is just around the corner! This is a fun time of year. Those seasonal decorations and flavors have a special, whimsical feel. It’s also nice to enjoy some cooler temperatures, and take in some of that gorgeous foliage. Read on as a Burlington, ON vet discusses spending Halloween with dogs.

Dogs are always cute, but they’re absolutely adorable in costumes. Man’s Best Friend has worn some hilarious outfits in the past. If you want to dress your pooch up as a taco, dinosaur, spider, or anything else, be sure to put his comfort and safety first. Don’t put your canine pal in anything that is tight, hot, or itchy, or anything that restricts his vision or movement. You’ll also want to make sure your pet’s outfit isn’t flammable, and doesn’t have small parts, like buttons, that he may be tempted to chew. Remember to let your pooch have a say as well. If your furry friend doesn’t seem comfortable in costumes, don’t force him to dress up. Just put a cute tie or bandana on his collar.

Treats are one of the main aspects of the autumn holiday. Keep those sweets away from your pup! Chocolate, candy, caffeine, sugar, and xylitol are all toxic to Fido. Grapes, currants, and raisins are also dangerous, as are hard candies and candy wrappers. Offer your furry buddy a few of his favorite store-bought doggy treats instead.

There’s often more traffic than usual around Halloween, both vehicular and pedestrian. When you walk Fido, get a good grip on his leash, in case a moving ghost decoration or someone in costume spooks him. If your four-legged friend has a yard to play in, limit his outdoor time, especially if your neighborhood tends to get a lot of foot traffic.

Fido always takes notice when the doorbell rings. Halloween can be stressful for him, especially if you have a lot of trick-or-treaters. If your canine companion tends to get a bit agitated when visitors show up, he may not react well to a steady stream of people in costumes. The costumes themselves may also frighten your cute pet. Consider putting your furry pal in a quiet back room with comfy bedding, toys, and some treats until the candy rush is over.

Please reach out to us, your local Burlington, ON vet clinic, anytime. We are here to help!