It's Halloween season, and you know your pet wants in on all the fun. We're talking about the holiday that's all about dressing up and eating candy—and we are just as excited about it. There are many ways to incorporate fun into your pet's celebration, but first, we must ensure that our furry buddies are up for it. 

 

Here are some tips to help you prepare your pet for Halloween.

Spooky Costumes

Prepare your dog for seeing costumed children and adults by wearing simple costumes at home before Halloween. Rather than sneaking up on your dog while wearing a costume, letting them see you putting it on is kinder. Slowly walk towards your pet while wearing the costume and throwing treats at them. This will help them get used to the idea that there's a person in a costume, which isn't scary. 

 

Dressing up your dog for Halloween can be fun too, but only if the dog is willing. Don't make him or her go through stress if he/she doesn't want to wear a costume.

Spooky Sights

If your dog is fearful of holiday decorations, look at scary objects with him before you leave home. Present one decoration at a time and reward him with a treat for investigating it.

 

It will be helpful if you take your dog out during the day when decorations are more visible, and animated features tend to be off. Give your dog lots of praise and treats whenever she looks at or approaches these decorations.

 

Once your dog gets comfortable with these sights, walk him at dusk and then at night, repeating the process with treats.

Increased Doorbell and Knocking

If you are committed to having an enjoyable Halloween experience with your pet, you may need to practice desensitizing your dog to the doorbells and knocks that come with trick-or-treaters. 

 

Start by getting ready for Halloween and then going outside to ring the doorbell or knock on the door. Once you've done that, give your dog a treat and lots of praise. 

 

Repeat this process several times until your dog is comfortable with these sounds in any situation.

Fun Ways To Enjoy Halloween With Your Pet

These fun ideas can help you create the perfect Halloween experience for you and your pet.

 

Halloween-themed toy: You can find various adorable toys at pet stores or online. Your pet is sure to get in the spirit of Halloween chasing a ghost toy filled with treats or a glow-in-the-dark bone.

 

Halloween treats: Halloween might be all about candy for us, but it's not a big deal for our pets. Luckily, there are some great recipes to make treats that your furry friends will love.

 

Dog trick-or-treating: There are many pet stores, neighborhood clubhouses, dog parks, and doggy facilities that hold trick-or-treat events for dogs. You can find them online by contacting the local pet center or checking neighborhood bulletin boards.

 

Cute costumes: If you're looking for something easy and inexpensive, consider making a simple homemade costume that can be used year after year. Or, if you want to go all out with a custom-made costume, there are plenty of options available online or at local pet stores.

Rivermist Pet Lodge Is Holding A Costume Contest This Halloween!

If your pet has an eerie-sistible Halloween costume, don't forget to enter our annual contest from 10/3 -10/23; voting will be done from 10/24 -10/30.

One lucky pet owner will receive five free days of daycare at our facility. Just DM or Email us a photo of your spookalicious furry buddy in costume. We'll post the picture on Facebook and Instagram, whichever gets the most likes. On Halloween, we will announce the winner for all to see!