Tips to Keep Your Pets Treating, Not Tricking This Halloween!

Halloween is here, bringing costumes, candy, and plenty of spooky surprises! While we love a wicked fright, our pets may not feel the same way. Between unfamiliar visitors at the door, tempting treats, and spooky decorations, Halloween can be full of unexpected tricks for our furry friends.

Don't let your little monster get into mischief this Halloween! We've brewed up a few tips to keep the tricks to a minimum and the treats coming.

1. Keep the Candy for the Creepy Crawlies (AKA Humans!)

Halloween candy might be delicious for us, but it can be downright scary for our pets! Chocolate and candies containing xylitol (a sugar substitute) can be especially dangerous. Even candy wrappers can cause problems if swallowed.

Keep candy bowls out of reach of curious paws, and make sure everyone in the household knows not to share their haul with your pets.

The Treat: Your pet doesn't have to miss out on the goodies! Stock up on pet-friendly treats like seasonal cookies.  Our stores just received Bocce's Froyo treats in festive flavors like Pumpkin Swirl and PB Chip, so your furry friends can join in on the Halloween fun.

2. Keep Your Little Monsters Busy!

Idle paws can lead to Halloween mischief! With so much happening around the house, giving your pet something fun to focus on can help keep them entertained and out of trouble.

The Treat: Turn Halloween into an enrichment opportunity!

  • Spooky Scavenger Hunt: Hide pet-friendly treats around a room and let your dog sniff out the goodies.
  • Trick-or-Treat Puzzle: Fill a puzzle toy or snuffle mat with your pet's favorite treats and let them work for their Halloween reward.

Remember to supervise enrichment activities and choose toys and treats appropriate for your pet.

Have a social butterfly who loves visitors? They might even enjoy helping you greet trick-or-treaters! Just make sure they're comfortable and safely secured so they can't slip out the door.

3. No Disappearing Acts This Halloween!

With trick-or-treaters coming and going, the front door may be opening more often than usual. Even pets who don't normally try to escape might slip outside when startled or curious. The last thing anyone wants is their furry friend pulling a disappearing act!

The Treat: Keep pets safely secured away from busy entrances, especially during peak trick-or-treating hours. Double-check that their ID tags and microchip information are up to date, just in case.

Taking your pet trick-or-treating with you? Make sure they're comfortable around crowds and easy to spot in the dark! Nite Ize collar lights, reflective collars, and reflective vests are great ways to improve visibility.

A little preparation can help keep your Halloween adventures from turning into a real-life ghost hunt!

4. Don't Let the Doorbell Drive Them Batty!

For some pets, unfamiliar faces, strange costumes, and a constantly ringing doorbell can turn Halloween into a real fright night. Even the friendliest pets can become overwhelmed by all the excitement.

The Treat: Create a cozy, quiet space away from the front door with your pet's favorite bed, toys, and treats. A stuffed Woof Pupsicle or long-lasting chew can provide a fun distraction while trick-or-treaters make their rounds.

For pets who need a little extra help relaxing, calming products like Suzie's CBD cookies or Nootie Calming Bars might be worth considering.

5. Costumes Should Be Cute, Not Creepy!

There's nothing quite like a dog dressed as a hot dog or a cat sporting tiny bat wings. While we might love a good costume, not every pet shares our enthusiasm for dressing up!

Costumes that are too tight, restrict movement, or have small dangling pieces can be uncomfortable or unsafe. Watch for signs that your pet isn't enjoying their outfit, such as hiding or trying to remove it.

The Treat: If your pet enjoys dressing up, choose a comfortable, properly fitted costume and supervise them while they're wearing it. For pets who prefer their birthday suits, a festive bandana or collar accessory might be a better option.

You can even snap a few adorable costume photos before switching to something more comfortable for the rest of the night!

And remember, there's nothing wrong with going as a dog or cat for Halloween!

Have a Frightfully Fun Halloween!

Halloween should be full of treats, not tricks! With a little preparation, some pet-friendly goodies, and plenty of enrichment, you can help your furry friends enjoy the spooky season safely.

From all of us at Rumford Pet, have a safe, happy, and pawsitively spooktacular Halloween!