Halloween for Pet Lovers: 12 Spooky-Season Ideas for Dog and Cat People
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Halloween is the best holiday for pet people. It is also the most stressful night of the year for most pets. Here is how to enjoy the first part and manage the second, with a few spooky-season pieces for the humans.
Halloween pieces for the humans
Costumes on dogs are a personal choice. Sweatshirts on humans are not controversial.
1. Boo-p Ghost Dog sweatshirt
A little ghost dog in a witch hat, nose to nose with its ghost human. The Boo-p sweatshirt is soft pre-shrunk fleece in Sand, Ash, Sport Grey, and Graphite Heather.
2. Terrier Steals the Bone tee
A terrier bolting out of the graveyard with a skeleton's bone. The Terrier Steals the Bone tee is heavyweight garment-dyed cotton, so it wears like a vintage shirt from the first wash.
3. Black Cat Crossing sweatshirt
For the cat parent who has been told their cat is bad luck and disagrees. The Black Cat Crossing sweatshirt has a moonlit street scene under gothic lettering.
Order-by dates: everything we make is printed to order in 2–5 business days and ships in 3–8 business days within the US. To be safe for October 31, order by October 14. See the full Halloween collection.
Pet-safe treats
4. Pumpkin dog biscuits
Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling), oat flour, an egg, and peanut butter without xylitol. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Dogs lose their minds.
5. A frozen "candy" Kong
Stuff a Kong with plain yogurt and blueberries and freeze it. Keeps a dog busy through the trick-or-treat rush.
6. Catnip "eyeball" toys
Any pet store has them in October. Cats do not care about the theme. You will.
Keeping pets calm on the night
7. Set up a quiet room before dark
A back bedroom with a white-noise machine, water, a bed, and a favorite toy. Put the pet in before the first knock, not after the tenth.
8. Keep the candy bowl high
Chocolate, xylitol gum, and raisins are all toxic to dogs. If your dog eats candy, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
9. Hand out candy outside
Sit on the porch with the bowl. No doorbell, no open door, no escaped dog. This one change fixes most Halloween problems.
10. Check the ID tag
Halloween is one of the top nights for lost pets. Confirm the tag is on, the microchip registration is current, and the phone number is right.
For the pets who like a costume
11. Start with a bandana
If your dog has never worn a costume, a bandana is the low-stakes version. If that goes well, try a cape. Skip anything that covers the face or restricts the legs.
12. Photograph it fast
Two minutes, high-value treats, natural light, then take the costume off. Your dog's tolerance is not a challenge.
The morning after
Sweep the yard and sidewalk for dropped candy and wrappers before the first walk. Then put your Halloween sweatshirt in the wash (inside out, cold, low dry) and wear it all November anyway.