Halloween Safety tips for your pup!

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!