9 Simple Tips – Plus a Healthy Halloween Dog Treat Recipe
Halloween is a great time of year to celebrate the cooler weather, get dressed up in our spooky costumes and enjoy lots of yummy treats. It can be a stressful night for our pets though. All those weird and different sights, sounds and smells can cause them to act out. Below are 9 simple tips that will help your pets be calm and safe on Halloween.
First, be sure to give your dog a nice, long walk before the festivities begin. This will tire him out and get him ready for a nice, long nap. If you need help that day, or any other day of the year with dog walking or pet sitting, be sure to check out our Services Page to see how we may be able to help you and your pets in our service areas of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel.
- If you are going to dress up your cat or dog, please be sure that they enjoy being dressed up. Be sure they can move around properly, bark, meow, pant and drink normally. Remove any chewable parts or objects that could come off and choke your pet. Also, consider having a “dress rehearsal” a day or two prior to the big event. Make sure they like the costume, don’t seem distressed to be in it or show abnormal behavior. Never leave your pet unsupervised while they are wearing a costume. Remember, a festive bandana works just as well as a full custom.
- Do not leave your pets out in the yard on Halloween, bring them in before night falls. Pranksters can harm your pets. It is best to keep your outdoor cats (if you still allow them outside-which I strongly advise against) inside for several days before and after Halloween.
- Unless you have a super social dog, keep him away from the front door. You will be constantly opening and closing the front door with excited, sometimes screaming, costumed children on the other side of it. Dogs are territorial and may become anxious with all the unfamiliar activity at their door. It’s best to keep your dog away from the front door, put them in a secure room or crate them if they are happy in their crate. You may also distract them with a new toy or treat them with their own special Halloween treats. *See the recipe below.
- Although pumpkins and corn are non-toxic, be aware that nibbling on these can cause gastrointestinal upset.
- Do not allow your pets around pumpkins that are light by candles. Kitties especially are very curious and could easily tip a pumpkin over and spark a fire. Best to use a battery powered candle and don’t let your pets near the carved pumpkin.
- This tip also applies to other holidays, keep wires and electric light cords out of your pets reach. Gnawing on the cord could lead to electrical shock and nibbling on ornaments could lead to ingesting plastic or glass pieces.
- Please be sure your pet is wearing his ID tags. Should they be lost or escape, this is your best chance of getting them back to you. Make sure the information is up-to-date. Microchips need to have current information on file.
- It is best to leave your dog safely at home. Taking him trick or treating with the family could cause him to become stressed with all the different sights and sounds. You do not want him nipping someone or getting loose.
- Be sure to keep all people treats safely away from your pets. Chocolate, gum (which often contains xylitol) and other sweets can sicken your pets. Do not allow your children to “share” their treats with their pets. Instead, have your children feed the following festive, easy, homemade treats to your doggie, or check out my blog “People Food That is Safe and Yummy For Your Pets”.
No rolling out the dough or cookie cutters required.
PUMPKIN DOG TREATS
1 ½ cup pure pumpkin puree
½ cup plain pumpkin seeds – whole or ground smaller
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup Old Fashioned Oats
¼ cup whole wheat flour
Preheat oven to 325°. Combine first five ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Gradually stir in flour.
Roll treats into bite-size pieces-1/2” for smaller dogs, up to 1 ½” for larger dogs.
Place rolled treats onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper about 1” apart.
Place on middle rack of oven and bake 25-30 minutes for ½” treat balls, 30-40 minutes for 1 ½” treats.
For a drier treat, turn oven off after cooking times suggested and leave treats in warm oven for an additional 10 minutes.
Drier treats will keep in a cookie jar for up to two weeks.
Moister treats should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
I hope your dog enjoys these treats.
Thank you.
This blog Halloween Pet Safety has helped me
a lot with my dog.
Kiss you All!