10/15/2023
Halloween Safety Tips for Walkers, Sitters, and Animal Owners/Guardians
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, with opportunities for attending parties in full costume, decorating the home with a fun, creepy theme, and welcoming trick-or-treaters. For pet care providers and guardians alike, the holiday can present a risk of anxiety for dogs and cats, so I wanted to share a few safety tips from my time caring for animals.
1. Know when Trick-or-Treat time is.
I recommend erring on the side of caution if unsure of how an animal will respond to groups of people in costumes. As a sitter or dog walker, I wouldn't walk any dog during trick-or-treating. That's for the dog's owner/guardian to decide since they know their dog better than I do, and a dog will likely be more anxious with someone they don't know as well as their own family. Most dogs are unfamiliar with people wearing costumes because it's not something they see every day. A dog who is ordinarily friendly with new people may not even recognize someone in a costume as a person. The crowds that form during trick-or-treating can overwhelm dogs, especially those who live on ordinarily quiet streets. For cats, new people arriving at the door every few minutes can be scary, especially if those people are wearing costumes. They may even try to run away through the open door. By setting aside a quiet, safe room for animals during trick-or-treat time, animal guardians or pet sitters can avoid the potential anxiety associated with trick-or-treating.
2. Be aware of spilled candy after trick-or-treat times.
It's safest to keep dogs a safe distance away from candy and candy wrappers. Safety risks include the toxicity of chocolate, the unsuitability of high-sugar foods, and the risks associated with an animal eating a candy wrapper. If the street is full of those hazards, a dog-friendly nature area or park with hiking trails may be the best bet.
3. Plan for safety during Halloween parties.
As mentioned above, large groups of people, especially in costume, can be stressful for animals. Having a quiet room set aside can alleviate that stress. Other potential party hazards include candy, alcoholic beverages, and the risk of stressed or overexcited animals escaping through the door as guests come and go. For pet owners/guardians, acclimating a dog to parties is best done gradually, over a long period.
4. Be aware that many animals dislike wearing costumes.
Combined with the other potentially anxiety-inducing factors present for animals on Halloween, wearing a costume may add to that stress. Of course, animals who are accustomed to wearing sweaters or jackets may not have an issue with it, but it's essential to be aw
are of each animal's comfort level.
These tips may help our kitties and doggo friends to be safer and happier during Halloween. Does anyone have any additional tips and tricks? My
