Halloween is just around the corner! It’s always fun to see what costumes people choose. Dogs can also be pretty adorable in costume. Fido makes an adorable dinosaur! He’s also been a taco, a spider, a hot dog, and a janitor’s mop and bucket, to name a few. Just be sure to put your pup’s health and safety first when celebrating this fun day. Read on as a local Forest Hill, MD vet offers some helpful tips on keeping your dog safe around the autumn holiday.
Treats
Many of those sweet seasonal treats are dangerous to dogs. Never let Fido have anything that contains chocolate, nuts, raisins, or xylitol. Hard candies are also dangerous, as are candy wrappers. Ask your vet for more information on safe and unsafe foods.
Decorations
Man’s Best Friend is very curious, and has a tendency to investigate things by, well, chewing on them. Put anything your pet may be tempted to chomp on out of paws’ reach. This includes things like foam and plastic decorations, fake spiderwebs, and other items.
Traffic
Halloween often brings an increase in traffic, both on the roads and on the sidewalks. When walking Fido, keep him on a short leash, and always stay between him and the street. After dark, you’ll want to use reflective gear. Foot traffic can also be an issue. If your pooch has a yard to play in, limit his outdoor time around Halloween, and bring him in before dark. As the saying says, better safe than sorry.
Costumes
If your dog doesn’t mind wearing clothes, you can dress him up. However, there are some caveats here. Don’t put Fido in anything that restricts his vision or movements, or anything that is tight, hot, or itchy. Costumes with decorative pieces, like buttons, are also unsafe, as dogs sometimes try to eat them. If your pet doesn’t care for playing dress-up, just put a bandana or bow tie around his neck.
Visitors
Some dogs get very excited when the doorbell rings. A steady stream of visitors can really agitate some pooches. Fido may also get worked up by all the costumes. Consider putting him in a quiet back room with bedding, toys, treats, and food when the trick-or-treaters start to appear.
Happy Halloween! Please contact us, your local Forest Hill, MD vet clinic, if ever we can be of assistance.
