Halloween is upon us 🎃 Keep your dog safe with these easy tips 👻

Autumn brings about crisp walks, cosy nights, and… a lot of bangs, doorbells, and chocolate! As Halloween and fireworks season approach, it’s important to remember that while these celebrations are fun for us, they can be incredibly stressful and even dangerous time for our dogs.

As such, it's absolutely crucial to prepare, and to do it now! Here are my easy tips for a safe and happy spooky season:

🚪 Watch those front door thresholds

Trick-or-treaters mean the front door will be opening and closing all evening, and for many dogs, that’s a prime opportunity to slip out unnoticed in all the excitement! To avoid a heart-stopping escape:

• Use a baby gate or exercise pen to create a safe zone away from the front door.

• Keep your dog on a lead or behind a closed door if you need to answer.

• Make sure their ID tag and microchip details are up to date; just in case.

• Creating a calm, enclosed space where your dog can relax while you handle the visitors helps everyone enjoy the evening with less stress.

🍫 Hidden Hazards: Chocolate and Sweets

Halloween brings an abundance of treats, many of which are toxic to dogs. Chocolate, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar-free sweets), and sweet wrappers can all cause serious health issues if ingested.

• Keep sweets out of reach, ideally in closed containers rather than open bowls.

• Remind children and guests not to share treats with pets.

• Watch your walks the next day for dropped sweets, wrappers, and chocolate which can often be found along pavements and park paths.

• If your dog manages to sneak something suspicious, call your vet or an emergency animal poison line right away.

🎆 Desensitising to fireworks and other noises

Loud bangs, fizzing fireworks, and unexpected knocks on the door can be scary for even the most confident dogs. Start gentle desensitisation as early as possible:

• Play firework sounds or recordings of doorbells and knocks at a low volume during whilst you play with or train your dog. Gradually increase the volume over time, always pairing it with something positive like play or treats.

• Reward calm behaviour and stay at the level your dog is coping with, never force your dog into stressful situations!

• If possible, plan walk times before dark during fireworks season, and keep your curtains closed with the TV or music on to help mask outside noise.

🌿 Calming aids and comfort measures

Some dogs need extra support to cope with the chaos of autumn festivities. Consider:

• Natural calming supplements such as valerian root or CBD can be helpful to support your dog through this season, but be aware that these may need time to build up in your dog's system rather than work immediately. Check out Dorwest Herbs and Hempine CBD.

• Pressure wraps or snoods, which can provide gentle reassurance through consistent pressure and muffling loud sounds. Check out Pip's Bootique Anti Panic Snoods for a fantastic sound proofing snood.

• Diffusers or sprays (like Pet Remedy) can help create a sense of safety in their environment.

Always introduce these tools ahead of time, so your dog associates them with relaxation rather than sudden stress.

💚 A final word

Halloween and fireworks season don’t have to be frightening for our dogs. With some forward planning, awareness, and a bit of creativity, we can make this season as enjoyable for them as it is for us 👻