Halloween Safety for Dogs -
There’re no bones about it, dogs are probably even more
adorable than normal when they are dressed for Halloween – preferably in an
outfit that compliments their humans’ costumes.
The hilarity hardly ever goes unnoticed and is often the best of the
best costumes in the neighborhood. For the purposes of this article, we will
assume you and your friend(s) have decided on The Wizard of Oz cast. While it’s
a great way to show off your best friend, there are a few things to keep in
mind when dressing up your dog and hitting the town in what can only be
described as a loosely organized
door-to-door fashion show.
When it comes to dressing your canine up for the big night,
keep in mind that dogs need to keep their head free of obstructions so they can
see and smell everything that keeps them informed of their environment which is
a huge source of comfort but also stress for a dog. Strong adhesives, stifling
fabric that raises their body temperature, cumbersome designs that inhibit their
movement and color aerosol sprays that are toxic to your friend can cause skin
irritation, poisonous or injury. With everything else to keep up with during
the holidays, it’s best to stay away from costumes that include any of those
characteristics.
While going door to door dressed up in a costume is probably
the most fun way ever to network, beware the door you knock on that has not
informed its canine that there’s a very strange stranger and an even stranger
dog on the very property it has been trained to protect. Now there’s a guy
dressed like Dorothy and a dog with a fake mane around its neck on the
doorstep. Whichever side of the door you’re on, think carefully about how safe
your pet will be when that door opens. An aggressive dog should be contained
away from the front door for everyone’s safety. A curious dog should remain
curbside till it is clear it is safe to approach a house you’re not sure about.
To be sure, the “treat” part of Trick Or Treat is probably
the best part of the night for the canines. While there are plenty of great dog
friendly treats, the ones to stay away from are just as plentiful. The obvious
things to look out for usually include chocolate, but did you know that grapes,
raisins, macadamia nuts and onions are poisonous to dogs as well? Often times
there is a 24 hour period that follows before the dog shows any symptoms. These
symptoms include all the things you’d hate to spend your holidays taking care
of and don’t forget - it is NOT fun for Fido either: vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation,
kidney failure, tremors and other horrible things. Keep your dog safe and
research those edible items you’re not sure about to see if they contain any
problematic ingredients. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.
Halloween is one of many really wonderful days of the fall
season. But unless you’re planning on dressing up every day, treat this as just
one of the many fun things to do while the weather is not too hot and not too
cold. In Houston, it’s a nice time of the year to catch that vagrant cool
breeze on an evening walk or spend those few extra minutes at the park without
having to worry about heatstroke. Have FUN this season and be SAFE. If we at
Urban Tails can help in any way, let us know!
