3 Halloween Tips for Dog Owners

If your dog loves to participate in holidays and you're considering dressing your pooch up for Halloween, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. From their costume to their treats, there are special considerations when it comes to including your dog in your holiday plans.

Dog Halloween Costume Fitting Tips

First, make sure their costume fits! Your pet cannot tell you if something is too tight around their neck, so it's up to you to know this. You should be able to comfortably fit your finger between your dog's neck and anything on their neck, including their collar. If you cannot fit your finger comfortably under a garment around their neck, it is too tight! As for their collar, you don't want it so lose it can come off, but it should not be binding either.

Make sure your dog is not tripping on their costume and not overheated in their costume. An overheated dog can quickly turn into a dehydrated dog which can turn into an emergency, so be wise and dress them appropriately and make sure your dog has access to water.

If your dog has a tendency to chew on things other than bones, be certain that you monitor them while wearing their costume. A new outfit with colorful things sewn on it can be too much temptation for your dog and all parts of costumes are not necessarily something safe for your dog to chew.

Make sure your pet can breathe comfortably in their costume. Costumes that cover their mouth, nose and face are not recommended.

Where to Buy Halloween Costumes for Your Dog

There are endless ideas when it comes to disguising your pooch. Check out these websites for creative costumes:

http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-costumes
This website has Hotdog, Dinosaur and Witch costumes for your pet, all for under $20.

www.trixieandpeanut.com/
This website has sweatshirts that double as costumes, so your pet can wear them again. Shark Attack, Penguin and Devil Hoodies are available in many sizes and range from $29 to $42.

www.Petco.com
Petco offers Fire Dog and Pumpkin costumes along with Halloween tee shirts for dogs, all for under $25.

If you're looking for something fast, visit your local pet supply store. As with any dog products, you can spend a lot or a little, it just depends on you. If you do choose to make your dog a homemade outfit, make sure it is safe for your dog.

Halloween Treats for Your Dog

Only feed your pet doggie treats. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and some dogs seem to be attracted to it, so keep chocolate treats out of your dog's reach.

A short personal note: One day, while sitting in my home office, I kept hearing a rhythmic bumping noise. When I went to investigate I found my eleven pound Miniature Pinscher dragging one of those huge, value sized bags of chocolate candy up the stairs, one by one, with her teeth. She was headed for a different part of our home so she could eat them in peace, with no interruptions . Dogs can be sneaky, so keep those toxic treats out of their reach.

Halloween Etiquette and Your Dog

If you take your dog out in public on Halloween, always have them on a leash. Many places have leash laws and there's a reason for this: to protect other people. The sights and sounds of children in costumes and excited voices could overexcite your dog or worse yet, scare them. A scared or overexcited dog is more likely to bite, chase or jump on children, so protect the little ones out enjoying the holiday by keeping Fido on a leash.

In the case of crowds or traffic, it is best to carry small dogs. If you are out at night, consider having light reflectors on your dog. For your dog's safety and the safety of others as well, it is best to leave your dog at home if you cannot watch them at all times.

Resources:
http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-costumes
www.trixieandpeanut.com/
www.Petco.com

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