Celebrating any holiday when you have a dog can be a challenge. How can you keep them safe? How can you ease their anxiety? Depending on the holiday, your dog will have different needs. On the Fourth of July, you have fireworks to worry about. On Halloween, there are kids knocking on the door every two minutes. Another thing to worry about when it comes to Halloween with dogs is candy, which is unhealthy and potentially dangerous. So, how can you have fun with your dog on Halloween while keeping them safe and happy? Keep reading for safety tips, dog-friendly treats, and other helpful suggestions.
Can Dogs Eat Candy?
Dogs have sensitive stomachs, so it is important to be mindful of what they can eat, and more importantly, what they can’t eat. Here are a few candies that are toxic to dogs:
- Sugar-free candy like mints, yogurt, and chewing gum
- Candy that contains raisins
- Any candy that has chocolate
A lot of these candies contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can cause hypoglycemia, seizures, liver failure, and even death in dogs.
Be sure to keep an eye on your dog when handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, hosting a party with lots of guests, or just eating candy yourself. Since your dog doesn’t know these foods are bad for them, it can be difficult to stop them once they’ve snatched something! Keep your bowl of candy out of reach on a table or countertop.
Worried your dog consumed something toxic? Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center right away:
ASPCA Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
Best Halloween Treats for Dogs
Candy might be a no-go for your dog, but thankfully there are other delicious options your dog can enjoy. Here are some treat options for your dog to have on Halloween:
Plato Pet Treats On the Go Samples
Individually wrapped dog treats for Halloween are a great way to include your dog in the festivities without having to worry about their health. Flavors like chicken, salmon, and baltic sprat are packed with nutritional value and are a delicious alternative to treats that could be harmful. Nothing spooky about that!
Single Thinkers Meat Stick Dog Treats
Plato Pet Treats Thinkers are individually wrapped, support brain function, and have limited ingredients, making them excellent choices for dog trick-or-treating snacks!
Fun tip:
Have two buckets at your door for your human trick-or-treaters and the four-legged friends that come with them!
Other Safety Tips for Dogs on Halloween
Keeping your dog away from the bowl of candy is one way to keep your dog safe, but what are some other ways to prioritize your pet’s safety? Here are some helpful tips from the ASPCA:
- Only put your dog in a costume if you know they are okay with it! Costumes can induce a lot of anxiety and distress in dogs if they are not comfortable.
- Keep decorations, wires, and candles out of the way.
- Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with their identification tags on it just in case they run out the front door.
The Plato Pet Treats Cycle of Virtue
The Cycle of Virtue can be defined like this: a chain of events in which one desirable occurrence leads to another which further promotes the first occurrence and so on resulting in a continuous process of improvement. We love our pets and want to provide the best we can for them, and when we bless them in this way, they continue to bless us with a better quality of life and increased lifespan. This is a beautiful thing.
