Dogs and the Dangers of Halloween

Fall has arrived and with it the Halloween holiday. I love Halloween and look forward to helping my girls picking out costumes every year. However, each year I worry about my dogs and the dangers that I know can go along with this holiday. Unfortunately there are unscrupulous people out there who will go as far as to hurt your dog on purpose and then there are the dangers of candy poisoning, wrapper choking, an escape out the door and the list goes on.

Unfortunately the thing that we humans love most about Halloween - the candy - is also one of the most dangerous things for your dog. Candy is not good for your dog. There are a million reasons from the artificial sweeteners to the toxicity of the chocolate to dogs. You even need to look out for healthy treats like raisin or grapes. They are extremely toxic for your dog. Oh, and for you adult trick or drinkers - NO Cocktails for the pooch! Somebody has to drive! Seriously though, dogs cannot tolerate alcohol either.

If your home is like ours, I'm sure you like to include your dog in the celebration and they like to be included. So for a fun idea, try baking them some homemade dog treats for Halloween. There are thousands of healthy recipes online and your dog will think he is getting treats just like everybody else.

Halloween costumes can be so adorable and a fun way to include your dog in the celebration but

be sure that you find an outfit that fits properly and that is safe. Costumes that are too big or too tight can cause them to trip or to become irritable. It's a good idea to have a trial run a few days early for the costume.

Do you remember when your kids were little and it was time to decorate for holidays? Remember how everything had to be simple and up higher? Well, that same principle goes for your dog too. They will get into everything just like a toddler. They will be chewing that pumpkin to bits before you know it and electric cords too. So remember to plan before you decorate.

Another safety issue to consider is the lit candles in the pumpkins. It only takes a second for your curious dog to knock one over and the curtains are ablaze! So light with caution!

One of my main fears on Halloween is losing my dog or having them accidentally get loose. With all of those kids coming to the door and loud noises it can be very overwhelming for your dog. It doesn't take much to spook them and the next thing you know they are darting out that open door. So it's a good idea to make sure they have proper identification on and perhaps consider putting them in a bedroom for the evening or putting up a gate to keep them from getting to the open door.

If you decide to leave your dog loose while you are entertaining trick or treaters, remember that to your dog, they look rather strange with their masks and costumes hiding their faces. Your dog will likely react in a protective manner and you don't want to put them in the position of accidentally biting someone. So consider keeping them out of reach of all of the trick or treaters. It's less stress for you and your dog.

If you would like more information on the Dangers of Halloween for your dog, please visit the website listed below.

A few months ago I left the business world to pursue my passion of working with animals while trying to improve my health. To do this, I am using my 20+ years experience as a dog breeder and pet owner. I also worked for a well known veterinarian and national vet supply company for several years. I have a B.S. In Agriculture with an emphasis in Animal Science and Ag Business. I want to be clear that in no way does any of this qualify me to be an expert. I am only sharing my experiences as informational material only. You should always consult your veterinarian before making any health choices for your pet. Please click here http://www.love-your-dog-food.com if you are interested in the details of how the right dog food can truly make your dog happy and healthy.

For complete information on Dog Halloween Safety, please go to the following link:
http://www.love-your-dog-food.com/dangers-of-halloween.html.