10/28/2026
HALLOWEEN SAFETY
Halloween is a fun night for families, but for our four-legged friends, it can be frightening and overwhelming. Between the constant ringing of doorbells, excited children in costumes, unfamiliar noises, and doors opening and closing, it only takes ONE SECOND for your dog to bolt out the door!
Every year, dogs go missing during Halloween festivities, and many of these escapes could have been prevented with a little planning.
Before the trick-or-treaters arrive, consider putting your dog in a quiet bedroom or securely closed room away from the front door. Turn on the television or some calming music, and give them something to keep them occupied.
Don't rely on your dog being well-behaved. Even a dog that has never attempted to escape can become frightened and bolt when startled by costumes, loud noises, or unfamiliar visitors.
Use baby gates, closed doors, or crates to create an extra barrier between your dog and the front entrance. Make sure everyone in the household knows the plan.
Check collars, ID tags, and microchip information. If the unexpected happens, having current contact information can make all the difference.
Keep Halloween candy out of reach! Chocolate, xylitol-containing treats, and candy wrappers can be dangerous to dogs.
Our biggest reminder from Granite State Dog Recovery: Your dog doesn't need to greet every trick-or-treater or participate in the Halloween excitement. Sometimes the safest and kindest thing you can do is let them enjoy a peaceful evening away from all the activity.
Let's make sure the only things running around our neighborhoods this Halloween are the little ghosts and goblins collecting candy NOT our beloved dogs.
