Halloween With Your Dog

There are those individuals that look forward to the ghostly day of Halloween every year, and like most pet loving people we like to include our furry friends in the festivities.  As the day for trick or treating gets closer, it's important to remember that, neither tricks nor too many treats are good for your dog.  Not only that Halloween can certainly be a scary and potentially dangerous experience for your pet.  To help you stay safe and happy on Halloween with your furry friend keep some of these pointers in mind:

• Chocolate and sweets are not healthy for your dog.  A dog's ability to digest sweets, and chocolate, is not like human beings.  Chocolate contains Theobromine, which can be harmful and sometimes fatal to your dog.  Baking chocolate is especially high in this chemical.  Instead of feeding your dog goodies from strangers or chocolate which might even be lethal, we recommend one of these special Halloween treats.
   

  Peanut Butter Gobblers

  Howling Goodies

  1 1/2 cups water 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 medium eggs 1/4 cup peanut butter 2 tablespoons vanilla 2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour 3/4 cup unbleached white flour 1 cup cornmeal 3/4 cup rolled oats 1. Set oven to 400 degrees. 2. Prepare an ungreased cookie sheet. 3. In a bowl, combine water, oil, eggs, peanut butter, and 2 tbsp vanilla. 4. In another bowl, combine flours, cornmeal and oats. 5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients; beat with an electric mixture until smooth. 6. Roll the dough into a ball, and place it on a sheet of floured wax paper. 7. Roll or pat out the dough to a thickness of 1/4- 1/2 inch. 8. Cut the dough with a cookie cutter (preferably one shaped like a doggie biscuit or gobblin), and place the biscuits on an ungreased cookie sheet. 9. Bake for 20 minutes; turn off the heat and leave the biscuits in the oven for 1 hour with the heat turned off. 20-30 cookies | 45 minutes 25 mins prep time

  1 cup whole-wheat flour 1 teaspoon soy flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4-1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky) 1 egg 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup honey 1 cup baby carrot, grated or ground 1. Combine flours, baking soda and peanut butter. 2. Mix in egg, oil, vanilla, honey and carrots until well combined. 3. Pour mixture into a 9x9-inch cake pan. 4. Bake at 325°F for 15 to 20 minutes. 5. Cool completely. 1 cake | 25 mins prep time

   

• On Halloween, if your dog is used to a regular stroll with you, then plan ahead, walk your dog while it is still light out.  Make sure your dog in on leash at all times.  Be prepared because your dog may find candy, wrappers, and broken eggs on lawns and streets.  Make sure that these “tempting treats” stay out of reach or you may get a bigger surprise than you would like.
   

• Remember that on Halloween, young or small dog are more susceptible to being frightened by all the excitement and costumes.  Those that are not familiar with children may find this day even more stressful, children in costumes can frighten dogs, and often themselves less careful and more excitable thereby frightening your dog even more.  Some dogs may also act very aggressively to certain costumes, since you can't always be sure how they will perceive something from their perspective, it's best to play it safe.
   

• Just because you choose not to go outside doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful.  Make sure pets are in a safe and secure room when you answer the door to prevent them from running out, getting hurt, and frightening your visitors or being frightened themselves.   If you want your dog to greet trick-or-treaters, keep him on leash.
   

• Participating in the event can be fun if you and your dog are prepared and if you keep your dogs comfort in mind.  If you decide to dress up your pet in a costume, supervise him at all times.  Make sure it fits properly and is not in the way of his breathing, eyesight, or hearing.  Make sure it is a fire retardant costume for optimum safety.  Also keep in mind with all the extra decorations and paraphernalia that comes with decorating your dog may swallow an elastic or decorative items, it could cause intestinal obstructions or choking, so be very aware of what is where and like small children keep these things out of reach.
   

• Halloween is the night for Trick or Treat, don't leave your dog unattended outside on Halloween, even if he is behind a fence.  Pranksters may target your dog with eggs, and passersby may be tempted to give your dog harmful treats and candy.   Keep your dog somewhere safe and check you entire property for something thrown or dropped in the yard prior to letting your dog having run of your yard for safe measure.
   

• When decorating keep your dog in mind, be careful about where you place candles and Jack-o-Lanterns. They can easily be knocked over by your dog’ s wagging tail – and either start a fire or cause the dog to burn himself.

Halloween can be a fun time for you and your dog, just take the necessary precautions to make it a safe and happy event for the whole family, both 2 and 4 legged.

- 10/28/2004  - contributed by Heather Veitch