How to help your dog cope with Halloween
27 October 2022
Celebrating Halloween is a highlight of the year for many. Dressing up in scary costumes, decorating the house and carving pumpkins can be great fun for the whole family – but how can you make sure it is as much fun for your dog?
As always, it is about stopping to think about things from your dog’s point of view – and realising just how scary Halloween can be!
First of all there are the costumes. All the people the dog knows and trusts suddenly turn into ghosts, and witches and zombies! They look strange, they behave oddly and, for a dog who looks at outlines and not details, they can be truly frightening.
Some dogs can take this in their stride, get into the spirit of the celebrations, and enjoy the apparent madness of it all but for many, it is a confusing and worrying time.
Make sure if you are going to dress up, you let your dog see you do it – and give them a chance to investigate and smell you so they know it is really you! The same goes for all the rest of the family, this should help to make it less shocking.
Then there is the temptation to dress up your dog and make them part of your Halloween fun but unfortunately while this might be fun for owners, it's not fun for dogs.
Sadly most of us will have seen photos of dogs in costumes on social media looking stressed, worried or fed up. As well as not being enjoyable for most dogs, costumes can block sight, sound or movement, or even cause them to overheat or itch – all of which can result in dogs acting unpredictably or even aggressively.
Remember that chocolate is toxic for dogs, and keep human treats out of reach of doggie noses! If you really want to involve your dog in Halloween, some special dog treats can make their Halloween as much fun as yours.
So enjoy Halloween, have a fabulous time but make sure that your dog enjoys it just as much.
Note: If you have any concerns that your dog may behave aggressively to family members, consult a qualified and experienced behaviourist for help.
As an Agria policyholder, if you have any questions about your dog's health, you can call the Pet Health Helpline 24/7on 03333 321 947 and our expert veterinary-trained professionals will be happy to help you.