#dogdevilcostume

How to keep your pets safe on Halloween

Halloween can be a festive and fun time for pets, children and families. We all like to join in the fun and dress up in costumes this includes our children and pets with Dog Halloween Costumes. As with our children, our pets rely on us to look after them and it is important to ensure that we follow some basic tips to keep our pet's safe during this time.

 While most of us enjoy the spine-tingling festivities associated with the spirit of Halloween, this holiday could be a frightening or dangerous experience for your pet. Here are some helpful tips on how you can keep your pet safe, relaxed and healthy this Halloween:

1) Trick or Treat sweets are not for pets.

All forms of chocolate - especially dark chocolate can be poisonous for dogs and cats.  Symptons of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and seizures.  But that’s not the only risk: Xylitol, a chemical used to sweeten candy, can cause low blood sugar or liver failure if your pet consumes even the smallest amount.  As treats will be more abundant during this period, make sure your pet cannot access them without your knowledge.  Lollipop sticks and foil wrappers are other items that can become lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive track and cause a painful obstruction that would require a trip to a pet emergency hospital.

2) Pet costumes

If you want to include your furry companion in the fun of dressing up for this holiday, be mindful of your pet’s comfort level when wearing a costume. Most pets don't mind wearing clothing or a coat, but some pets won’t tolerate it at all.  ALways check your dog's reaction to costumes before the night.  Introduce a costume for just a few minutes at a time beofre fitting one on your pet.   Make sure to avoid tight clothing that can constrict movement or straps that might constrict their breathing or hearing.  

Our Dog Devil Costume and Dog Pumpkin Costume fasten like a traditional dog coat which does not restrict movement or breathing if the correct size is chosen.  These costumes fasten with a wide velcro (safer) which allows for a degree of alteration to get that pawfect fit without restriction. They are available for all sized dogs - small to very large!

If your pet shows any sign of stress wearing a costume, then do not persist in trying. Whilst your dog is wearing a Halloween costume make sure you supervise them the entire time.  

 3) Don't keep lit pumpkins around pets.

Jack-o-lanterns are another threat to pets during Halloween. Behind their carved-out exterior lies a very serious danger – a lit candle. A curious pet or a dog with a strong tail could knock a lit Jack-o-lantern / Pumpkin and either burn themselves, start a fire or if they are wearing a costume this could catch on fire if left unsupervised and if they are allowed to get to close to lit candles/pumpkins or other props.  Keep supervising them and keep them away from such dangers.

4) Make sure your pets wear up to date ID's

It is possible that even the most calm, laid-back pet could get spooked by noise, strangers in costumes calling at their door or Halloween events in general which could result in them panicking and escaping / becoming lost. Having proper identification will help the chances of your pet being found and returned.  Make sure your information is up to date.

5) Decorations can be dangerous

As festive as they are, some decorations can be dangerously enticing to pets. For example, fake spider webs tend to attract cats in particular, who mistake the stringy material as a toy and may tangle themselves up in it or ingest it.

6) Keep your pets inside

Unfortunately Black cats are especially at risk from pranks or other cruelty-related incidents so keep all outdoor cats inside a few days leading up to Halloween and afterwards.  Other vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal or even kill pets left in a garden or yard, so keep your dogs in.  It is a shame that such evil exisits, but it can be preventable if you keep your pets with you.

With Halloween celebrations in full swing towards the end of October, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun festivities of this delightfully scary holiday. But it’s important to be proactive about protecting your pet during this time because an ill, injured, misbehaved or lost pet can make Halloween a real nightmare for you and your furry companion.

Dog Halloween Costumes can be bought from award winning online dog boutique - Canine & Co 

Enjoy and keep safe!