10/26/2026
🎃 Halloween can be a little too spooky for our pups! 👻
Doorbells ringing nonstop, strangers in masks, and new sounds and smells can make this a stressful season for dogs. Here's how to keep your furry family safe and comfy:
🐾 Create a calm space. Set up a quiet room away from the front door with their bed, a favorite toy, and some soft music or white noise.
🍫 Keep the candy out of reach. Chocolate, raisins, and sugar-free treats with xylitol can be very dangerous for dogs. Wrappers can cause problems too!
🚪 Watch the door. All that coming and going makes it easy for a nervous pup to slip out. Use a baby gate or crate during trick-or-treat hours.
🏷️ Double-check ID. Make sure collars, tags, and microchip info are up to date, just in case.
👗 Costumes should be comfy, not scary. If your dog freezes, hides, or tries to wriggle out, they're telling you "no thanks." A festive bandana works just as well!
🕯️ Mind the decorations. Keep candles, glow sticks, and cords away from curious noses.
🌙 Walk early. Get your pup's walk in before dark, before the costumed crowds come out.
At Four Paws Only, we believe in fear-free care every day of the year, and that includes Halloween! 🧡 Wishing you and your pups a safe and happy spooky season!
My daughter really wanted to include our puppies into Halloween this year because they are sister of everyday life .. we thought it over and talked about the benefit it would bring to their enrichment and social requirements. I knew I would not ultimately allow them to participate but I wanted to give her , as a young dog advocate , the ability to process what that may all look and feel like to a dog. She decided Fern and Fielding will be staying home this holiday but we can’t wait to prance them around all Christmas season when they can enjoy safe new sights sounds and scents.
