Making Halloween pet friendly

Halloween is slowly becoming one of my favorite holidays. When B was little, Halloween terrified her. When the decorations started appearing in the stores, we would do an awkward shuffle through stores, avoiding aisles, and having a terrible shopping experience. Somewhere around her Sophomore year she developed a love for the holiday.

This year, B and I are consciously making and creating special moments around our dogs. Raffy is getting older, and we can’t help but notice the changes. As sad as the changes are, they are teaching me to slow down, and enjoy every moment of life. Raffy has taught me more over the past 10 years than almost anyone in my life.

With these thoughts, I started to look into ways to make Halloween safer for my dogs. Selena loves being included, and Raffy loves anything that is family based. But with Raffy’s age and Selena’s anxiety, holidays can be a challenge. Yet, with every challenge there are positive solutions. Wanting to include the dogs, I did some research to learn how to make the holiday safer.

Here are the top 5 tips to make Halloween pet-safe, based on my research:

1. Keep Halloween treats away from pets: Many popular Halloween treats, such as chocolate and xylitol (a sweetener), can be harmful to pets. Make sure to stow away candy in a high cabinet secured with a lock or child-safety latch.

2. Beware of glow sticks: During Halloween, pets may come across glow sticks, and some may be tempted to chew on them. While the liquid inside is generally not highly toxic, it can cause mild taste reactions.

3. Choose pet-friendly costumes (if applicable): Not all pets enjoy wearing costumes, and it can cause undue stress for some. If you decide to dress up your pet, ensure the costume is comfortable, doesn’t restrict movement, and doesn’t have any small parts that can be chewed or swallowed.

4. Keep pets inside and secure: Halloween can bring strangers in costumes and noise, which might disturb pets. It’s safer to keep them indoors and provide them with a calm and quiet space. If there’s a chance your pet might escape or get anxious, consider using a crate or a safe room to ensure their well-being. I have found that wearing a tight shirt helps both of my dogs stay calmer. To keep in the festive mood, buy them holiday shirts.

5. Decorations may pose risks: While some Halloween decorations are relatively nontoxic, pets may still be tempted to chew on them, leading to stomach discomfort. Keep an eye on your pets around decorations and avoid using any that may be hazardous if ingested.

Previous dogs I have owned, loved holiday decorations. Sheebah loved Christmas decorations. I think it was the sparkle and bright lights. She was a particularly mischievous dog and would carry decorations around. After our first Christmas together, I learned to keep the decorations high, where she could enjoy them, but not touch them,

No matter how you choose to celebrate the holiday, remember to include your pets while keeping them safe.

Sara Orellana lives in Oklahoma City and writes a weekly column for The Lawton Constitution.