How To Safely Trick-or-Treat with Your Puppy

October 22, 2019

Love it or hate it, Halloween is a night that will likely be filled with screaming children in cute or scary outfits. If you’re a puppy parent, you may want to take your cuddly pooch with you on your trick-or-treating trek. After all, they are a part of the family, and you’ll make sure they’re safe once you come back home! 

Trick-or-treating with your puppy requires a little more planning than you normally would with children. Because Halloween is such a beloved holiday, there are many dangers that your pup can face during a night of trick-or-treating.

Take time to coordinate your door-to-door adventure with your pup by checking out these safety tips:

1. Consider your pup’s temperament.

Some puppies are totally okay with meeting strangers. They may proudly strut in their cute Halloween costume without batting an eye. Most puppies aren’t so confident, especially on a scary night like Halloween. 

If you know your puppy as a nervous, shy, or aggressive canine, trick-or-treating in a neighborhood filled with screaming children in costumes will make their anxiety worse. Your puppy may bolt, cower, jump on strangers, or even attack. 

If this is the case, keep your puppy in a quiet room with some of their favorite toys. Your fur-baby will have just as much fun!

2. Bring water and other necessities.

Like going on a long walk, remember to take the necessary items for your trick-or-treating adventure. Water, snacks, toys—these are a couple of items your puppy may need throughout their night. 

Remember that walking around the neighborhood can be pretty tiring for both you and your puppy! To get all the candies you want from each house, make sure your puppy gets their potty and water break.

3. Make sure your pup’s costume is comfy.

Dressing your puppy up is so much fun! Just take a look at these 5 hilarious dog costumes if you don’t believe us. However, while they may be all fun and games for us, your puppy may not feel the same way. 

Make sure your pup is okay with having an outfit on the entire night. Your pooch’s costume should not restrict their movements (especially walking). It should also NOT choke them or block their vision and hearing. 

If your puppy’s costume has needles or safety pins, be sure it doesn’t pierce their skin. Never leave your puppy alone in their costume. And when in doubt, opt for a bow or bandana. 

4. Plan out your night and stops.

When it comes to trick-or-treating, you may be ready to take on the whole neighborhood for that candy! But remember, trick-or-treating can be exhausting for your little furry pal. They can easily be done with walking after an hour. 

Don’t force your puppy to continue on with you when they start getting tired. Plan out possible scenarios before you leave, including when to go back home. You should also make stops along the way so your fur-baby can catch their breath or drink water. 

5. Only give your pup the right treats.

Candy and chocolate are all the rage on Halloween. These sweets may give us that yummy sugar rush, but your puppy can’t have any. While walking around, stay on alert for discarded candy on the floor. Remind your children or relatives to refrain from feeding your puppy any candy, even if they beg. You can make Halloween fun for your pup by bringing their favorite treats. Once you come home, keep all bags of candy out of reach. 

Trick-or-treating should be a happy and fun experience for all involved. Always prioritize your puppy’s comfort and safety before you decide to head out. Many puppies would rather stay at home, relaxing and away from all the noise. As long as you prepare and coordinate your nightly adventure, you and your puppy are sure to have a great Halloween!

Check out 10 Pet Safety Tips for This Halloween to learn more about how you can keep your puppy safe this Halloween!

✓ The information on this website is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.