Happy Howl-o-ween Safety Tips

Dia de los Muertos, Saints Day, All Hallows Eve. In other times and places, the cusp of October/November was about honoring the dead, remembering one’s own mortality, and celebrating life while it lasts.

An all-American Halloween doesn’t have such serious overtones. In fact, its purpose, for adults and children alike, is to get a lot less serious and just have fun. It’s a hoot to become a different character at costume parties and to feign terror during a haunted house tour. 

Of course, this most ghoulish of holidays also provides a time-honored excuse for gorging on candy and other sweets. For the inner 11-year-old in us all, this is a very good thing.

For our dogs, however, Halloween can be stressful and even dangerous. Here are some pointers to keep your canine friend safe and happy when witches prowl:

1. Walk your dog early and keep him inside on Halloween night. Pets can be harassed, injured, or stolen by malevolent revelers. 
2. Set up your Jack-o-lantern out of reach of your dog. A knocked-over candle can easily start a fire.
3. Don’t put a costume on your dog unless you know he’s calm enough to handle it. If you do dress him up, make sure the costume doesn’t impair movement, vision, hearing, breathing, or barking. Let him wear the get-up at home a few times before Halloween to get him used to it.
4. Most dogs will be happier in a separate room when trick-or-treaters are visiting or during a costume party. Choose a comfortable place where your dog likes to be, and turn on the television to help drown out unfamiliar sounds. Check on him frequently throughout the evening.
5. Don’t take your dog trick-or-treating. Dogs can get stressed and skittish when there is a lot of commotion on the streets.
6. Candy is not good for dogs, especially if it contains chocolate. Candy wrappers can also be hazardous if swallowed. 
7. Make sure your dog has an up-to-date tag and is micro-chipped. Dogs have been known to run away from all the strange Halloween goings-on.

Take these simple precautions and all will be well with you and your dog on Halloween night. Just don’t let the vampires bite!

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