Halloween and Pets: A Spooktacular Guide to Safety and Fun

As Halloween approaches, pet owners are faced with the exciting yet challenging task of including their furry friends in the festivities. While dressing up pets in adorable costumes can be a highlight of the season for some, it’s crucial to consider both the enjoyment and potential risks associated with this spooky holiday. Today, I’m breaking down Halloween and pets for my fellow Dallas pet lovers.

Pets in Costume

Pets wearing Halloween costumes has become very mainstream over the past 15+ years. While I am not a fan of dressing up pets in costume – preferring instead to see my pets in all their glory – I understand the appeal. Here, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of pet costumes.

Pets in Costume: Pros

According to GBP News, Americans were expected to spend a staggering $700 million on pet costumes in 2023. And, I get it; dressing up your pet can be a delightful way to include them in family activities and create memorable photo opportunities. Many pet owners enjoy the creative process of designing or choosing the perfect costume for their furry companions.

Plus, Trick-or-Treat events, Howl-o-ween Yappy Hours, and other pet-friendly Halloween parties are becoming more popular in Dallas and the DFW Metroplex. Check out this list of 8 Dog Halloween Parties Around Dallas to Attend With Your Pup by Dallas Sites 101. If you plan to attend an event like this, it’s only natural that you’d consider having your pet dress up. And, if they can tolerate costume in a public setting, then more power to you.

Pets in Costume: Cons & Potential Dangers

While costumes can be fun, they also pose potential risks to pets. Some animals may experience stress or discomfort when wearing outfits, especially if they’re not accustomed to them. Costumes can also restrict movement, impair vision, or cause overheating. There’s also a risk of pets ingesting small parts of the costume, leading to choking hazards or digestive issues.

Especially when exposed to unfamiliar sounds, sights, and smells, a pet in costume may feel vulnerable and react differently to their environment and other people and pets.

Safety Tips for Pets in Costume

• Always supervise costumed pets: Never leave your pet unattended while they’re wearing a costume. Your should be observing your pet and standing nearby to quickly address discomfort or potential hazards.
• Choose pet-friendly designs: Opt for costumes specifically designed for pets, ensuring they don’t impede movement, breathing, or vision.
• Do multiple test runs: Let your pet wear the costume for short periods before Halloween to gauge their comfort level and use treats to help them associate a positive experience with the costume. Click here for tips on using positive reinforcement when introducing new things.
• Keep it simple: Consider partial costumes like bandanas or collar accessories if your pet seems stressed by full outfits. While our pets may look amazing in elaborate costumes, it’s not fair to overdo it unless you’re confident they will be at ease.

Soothe Halloween Stress

In addition to the costumes, Halloween can be a stressful time for pets due to increased activity and unfamiliar smells, sights, and sounds. Following are some tips to keep your furry friends calm as the world around him/her gets spooky, especially on Halloween night.

• Create a soothing environment: Turn on the TV and radio to drown out the noise from trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood. This can help mask unfamiliar sounds that might startle your pet.
• Designate a safe space: Set up a comfortable area away from the front door where your pet can retreat to keep them safe and away from the chaos.
• Maintain routine: Try to stick to your pet’s regular feeding and exercise schedule to provide a sense of normalcy. If you usually go for a dog walk in the evening, opt for an earlier walk on Halloween. Unless your dog is super confident, the elaborate costumes and festivities may prove very frightening.
• Keep it quiet: If possible, disarm your doorbell on Halloween and place signs out front to keep trick-or-treaters from knocking and startling your pets.
• Be choosy about decor: Avoid decor with flickering lights and scary sounds. Your pet doesn’t understand that these items are fake and, because their senses are often more sensitive than ours, these things could be very frightening.
• Consider calming products: Calming chews, full spectrum CBD oil, or a pharmaceuticals can help your pet if they have shown severe anxiety or fear-related behaviors on Halloween in the past. These reactions usually get worse in subsequent years, not better.
• Walk away: If you find yourself at a Halloween event and realize your pet isn’t having a good time, call it a night and head home where your pet is always most comfortable.

Prevent Halloween Escapes

With the constant opening and closing of doors for trick-or-treaters, Halloween night presents an increased risk of pet escapes. Follow these tips to keep your furry friends safe:

1. Display current ID tags: Be sure your pet is wearing a collar with up-to-date ID tags. We recommend microchipping as an additional precaution. Even if you plan to stay home, your pet should be wearing ID.

2. Create a barrier: Use baby gates or close off rooms to keep pets away from the front door if you’re welcoming trick-or-treaters.

3. Exercise them: Take dogs for walks or play with your cats long before dark to tire them out and get them ready for a cozy night in. If you’re tight on time, count on our dog walkers at Park Cities Pet Sitter to help you exercise your dogs midday. And, for cats, we offer cat sitting even when you’re at work, not just when you travel.

4. Consider confinement: If your pet is particularly anxious or prone to escaping, it might be best to keep them in a secure room or crate during peak trick-or-treating hours. A safe space in a bedroom or study is a great option but make sure your pet has all they need including fresh water, a clean litter box, and a beloved toy.

5. Bring them indoors: Bring all pets indoors on Halloween. Pets, especially black cats, are at risk for scary rituals and dangers and should be kept indoors.

Avoid Halloween Hazards

Spooky season comes with many potential pet hazards that you’ll want to avoid. Follow this list and comment below if you take any additional precautions.

1. Candy and chocolate toxicity: Keep all Halloween treats, especially chocolate, out of your pet’s reach.

2.Candles: Ensure decorations like jack-o’-lanterns with lit candles are placed where pets can’t knock them over or burn themselves. Better yet, opt for LED candles that won’t burn or melt.

3. Glow sticks, fake blood & make-up: These items can be toxic if ingested, so keep them away from curious pets.

4. Toxic/dangerous toys: If you want to treat your pet to a special Halloween toy, purchase only high quality species-specific toys for your pets. Most toys you’ll see on the market are mass-produced and the materials used are entirely unregulated.

5: Festive rawhide: Rawhide chews come in festive holiday colors and shapes this time of year. Avoid them – they are choking hazards, may cause stomach upset and intestinal blockage, and contain toxic coloring and ingredients.

By following these guidelines and others found here, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween experience for both you and your pets. Remember, the key is to balance fun with caution, always prioritizing your pet’s comfort and well-being throughout the festivities.