How To Prepare Your Pets For Halloween And Have Fun.
I am a parent. I have 4-legged and 2-legged kids and I love them dearly. That’s why I fill up my house with plastic black and orange crap, hang silly things on my windows, and plan all these festivities that start weeks before the actual holiday. I see how much my kids love all this, and that’s why I do it year after year. And hey, I won’t oppose to orange and purple jello shots either, once a year of course… 🙂 No question, Halloween is fun for young and old…. humans. Yes, it is a man-made celebration and no other living and breathing creatures on this planet celebrate it.
It has become recently very popular to include our pets in these festivities. And I am a huge believer that nobody knows your pet better than you. That is why I want to remind the pet owners to pay close attention to their pets, watch their body language, and make your own decisions putting your pets’ well being above everything else.
1. Should you take your pets trick-or-treating?
Will the noises make them anxious? If so, keep your pets home and give them some dog cookies instead – I am sure you can find those here in Dallas in multitude of pet bakeries and stores.
2. Should you dress up your pet?
My recommendation is never to force your pet to dress up. Will your dog feel relaxed wearing that Cinderella dress? Do you really need to add that blond wig? Again, pay attention at your pets’ body language and make the loving decision. Try taking the costumes on a test run out in public and really observe your pet.
3. House safety during trick-or-treating
Make sure your pets don’t escape when doors open/close. Keep them in a room where they don’t have an escape route. Make sure they have their tags/collars. Keep an eye for other pets that may look like they just escaped…
4. Keep pets away from candy
Pets usually find sweet smell of candy very appealing. Not only sugar is unhealthy, but chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats… Make sure your pets don’t get into your Halloween candy stash….
Photo credit: e-haya, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cover photo credit: David K, CC BY-SA 2.0