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8 Ways to Celebrate Halloween With Your Dog

Britt
by Britt
Updated:  October 19th, 2022 Published:  September 26th, 2022

Do you love the Halloween season? This is my favorite time of year! Of course, if I am going to enjoy the celebrations, I want to do so with my best friends by my side. I’m talking about my dogs.

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Most of the traditional Halloween celebrations may not be designed with dogs in mind. But there are many ways you can celebrate this spooky time in a way that is enjoyable for both you AND your dog. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, check out these 8 ways to celebrate Halloween with your dog and start planning today.


Dress Up in a Couples Costume


Whether you plan on trick or treating with your dog by your side or attending a dog-friendly Halloween party together, there are many great Halloween couple costumes for you and your dog to choose from. Be careful to choose a costume that your dog will be both safe and comfortable wearing. Consider embracing your favorite fandom, bring some comedy to the spooky season or stick with a more traditional horror-themed duo.


Purchase Your Dog Some Fun Halloween Toys


If your favorite way to celebrate with your dog is some quality playtime, there are many great Halloween-themed toys to embrace the spooky season. For dogs that love nothing more than a game of fetch (or 2… or 10…), spoil your pup a little this holiday with some Halloween-themed tennis balls. Do you have a dog that thrives off a mental challenge, a Halloween puzzle plush toy may be the perfect addition to a fun game of hide and seek.


The goal is to choose a game that both you and your dog can enjoy together. Unsure of what toy your dog will love most? You can always opt for a goody box of Halloween dog toys and treats, giving your dog the opportunity to choose what they enjoy most.


Bake Tasty Halloween-Themed Dog Treats


Halloween is often associated with candy and tasty treats. But trick or treating is likely going to leave you with a selection of goodies that aren’t dog friendly. Many are even dangerous for your dog. The good news is that there is one flavor associated with the season that you can embrace when baking for your dog – Pumpkin!


A fall staple, pumpkins play an important role in the spooky festivities. For your dog, they are the perfect base for a Halloween-themed treat. Grab your ingredients and make some Halloween Pumpkin Oatmeal Spice Dog Treats. I’m sure your dog will be more than willing to help you clean up the dishes (I know mine always are).

 

Plan a Spooky Photo Shoot


Everyone loves adorable dog photos. Why not plan a dog photo shoot for you and your dog this season. You can rock your favorite Halloween-themed shirt while dressing your dog up in a seasonal bandana or spooky dog sweater. Head out to a local photo location or create the perfect backdrop at home. The options are endless.


Bobbing for Apples (or Dog Toys)


Is your favorite traditional Halloween activity bobbing for apples? If so, why not introduce your dog to the fun? Set up a small puppy pool or bucket suited for your dog’s size. You can do this with actual apples, which are highly nutritious for dogs, but make sure to remove the core and seeds of the apple before placing them into the water. If your dog isn’t an apple fan, consider picking up some fun, spooky latex dog toys that will float for a similar effect.


Cuddle Up for a Halloween Movie Marathon


Is your pup more of a snuggler? If you have a dog that loves nothing more than cuddling in with their person, then this is the perfect way to celebrate! Pull out your favorite Halloween blankets and throw pillows to give your couch a seasonal spin. Then curl in together for a day of cuddles and spooky movies.


Of course, most people associate Halloween with horror movies. But, there are many Halloween movies to choose from if you prefer a more light-hearted day of movies while still sticking to the theme.


Go for a Halloween-Themed Hike Together


The temperatures are dropping as the cool fall season rolls in, but that doesn’t mean that fun outdoor activities are off the table. If you live near some beautiful trails or are willing to take a short road trip with your dog, you can get out and enjoy the beautiful fall colors. Of course, you can also take the Halloween aspect of this fun outing to the next level with a seasonal dog harness or leash. Who doesn’t love spoiling their dog with some adorable new accessories?


If you can’t get out to explore your local trails or if you live in a more urban area, try planning a Halloween-themed walk. This is a great chance to check out all the local decorations and displays.


Explore Your Local Dog-Friendly Pumpkin Patch or Fall Festival


Does your local town or city host a fun Halloween-themed event? If so, take some time to research whether dogs are permitted to attend. Many outdoor events are dog friendly if your dog is polite and well-behaved on leash.


This is also a fun option that you may be able to combine with some of the other celebrations on this list. Turn your trip into an adorable Halloween-themed photo shoot by picking up a Jack-o-Lantern bandana for your dog. Don’t forget to pick up some pumpkin to bake your dog’s favorite spooky treats. 

WOW
Britt
Britt

Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Indiana and Lucifer – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.

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A senior dog found living in the woods in the U.K. has been rescued and is now looking for a loving home.The dog, named Rose, was first spotted near Crawley Down in West Sussex, England. The Lost Dog Recovery UK South shared in a social media post that they’ve received a message from a concerned member of the public about a small black dog running in the road.The person who saw the dog “stopped the traffic” and let the pooch disappear into the woods, knowing it’s best not to follow. After visiting the nearest property, the person learned that locals were familiar with the dog and that drivers often stopped by saying that the pooch had been on the road. The locals explained that the dog was a stray fed by people.The individual who spotted the dog was troubled by the idea of a dog living in the woods and contacted the Lost Dog Recovery rescue organization with this information. Knowing that this could be a case of an “owned dog allowed to roam” the organization decided to investigate by setting out food for the pooch along with cameras to track its movements. The dog was caught on camera five times in two days and by the third day appeared to be waiting for meals.The organization also talked with residents in the area about the dog and were told that the dog was a stray who lived locally for about ten years. The residents also said that the dog should be left alone because was in good condition, fed, and cared for. After talking about this situation with another household, which has been leaving food for wildlife and were allegedly responsible for the dog’s care, the rescue decided to help the dog. Over the following week, the organization established a feeding schedule and confirmed that the pooch was indeed a senior dog. They set a trap for the dog by serving a warm roast chicken and managed to catch her.“Understandably she was shocked and scared, but very gentle, and was taken immediately to the warmth and safety of kennels,” the organization shared.  After taking her to the kennels, the organization made a shocking discovery - the dog was microchipped! Her name was Rose and she had gone missing from her owners less than 24 hours after they adopted her in 2017! A now 12-year-old Patterdale terrier, Rose, has gone missing from Ashurst Woods, located only six miles away from Crawley Down, where the organization found her. Unfortunately, there was no happy reunion for Rose. The organization managed to contact Rose’s registered owners, but they explained that they were in no position to take her back since their circumstances had changed dramatically and they had moved away. “After the initial shock, our absolute joy at finding a long-lost dog is tinged with sadness as there is no happy reunion for Rose; she never got the chance to know the love of her family,” the organization said in a post. They added that Rose is going to need time, patience, and rehabilitation, and being a senior dog she’ll likely need ongoing vet care and medication. Rose is going to be cared for by Last Chance Animal Rescue in Edenbridge, U.K. After sharing Rose’s story, the rescue received several inquiries about her from families willing to adopt her and give her a safe, warm, and loving home.“Please don’t leave a dog straying for longer than they have to be...not only for them and their wellbeing but also for the sake of humans who love them,” the organization added. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Dog Helps Find Missing Child

Dogs can be heroes, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to the story of a very special police K9 in Auburn, Massachusetts. When a 12-year-old went missing from their home and couldn’t be found for roughly two hours, Auburn police knew that they had to work quickly, and Biza the dog played an integral role in the child’s rescue.Child Found with the Help of a Police K9 Named BizaAccording to a Facebook post by Auburn MA Police Department, information about a missing child was received around 10:30 p.m. on January 31, 2024. The child had been missing since around 8:30 p.m., when they had left their home. No one knew where the child could be, and the frigid temperatures made everyone worry even more about their safety.Because the child had last been seen in the Pakachoag Hill area, Auburn police officers, Massachusetts State Police troopers, and detectives got to work looking for them. But it would be Biza, the K9 partner of Officer Ljunggren, who would really come through and help the search end successfully that night.Following the Scent to a Missing ChildBiza picked up the child’s scent and tracked it for more than two miles. The police were able to find signs that the missing child had been in the area, so they kept up the search until they were able to find them and bring them home to their family just a short while later.This is one example of many times that Biza has helped police in Auburn succeed since she joined them in 2022 from Germany. In addition to helping find missing people, she has also helped police track down suspects.  Thanks to Biza and her ability to track the right scent that night, a child was saved from the cold and made it home safe.Here’s a quick video about this story, showcasing a few photos of beautiful Biza:

Can Stress or Anxiety Cause Diarrhea in Dogs?

Dogs are no strangers to stress and anxiety. While most pooches are the picture of the tail-wagging, carefree dog whose only stress is that they have to wait for their next meal, some have it a bit more ruff. Anxiety in dogs can vary from mild to severe, triggered by specific and occasional stressors (such as  fireworks, for example) or present on a daily level. Naturally, your pet’s state of mind has a big impact on their overall health, so it doesn’t surprise that dogs with anxiety often have tummy issues. But does that mean that a stressful situation or anxiety can directly cause diarrhea in dogs? Having in mind that, in a way, your pet’s mental health is connected to their digestion, it sounds highly probable.How Stress and Anxiety Can Cause DiarrheaSo how does it work? The connection between the brain and the gut, often referred to as the gut-brain axis, plays a crucial role in the overall health and well-being of dogs. When dogs experience stress or anxiety, it can trigger a cascade of physiological responses, including changes in gut motility, secretion of digestive enzymes, and alterations in the composition of gut microbiota. These disruptions can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea.When stress or anxiety takes hold, it's not just a matter of frazzled nerves. These emotional states can set off a domino effect within your dog's digestive system. Rather than a simple list of effects, think of it as a cascade of events:Picture your dog feeling anxious during a  thunderstorm or while being left alone. This emotional response triggers a surge of adrenaline, part of the body's "fight or flight" response. Blood flow shifts away from the digestive organs and toward the muscles, heart, and lungs, hastening gut motility.Meanwhile, the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, known as the microbiome, is disrupted by stress. This dysbiosis can lead to inflammation, changes in gut permeability, and an upset stomach.Furthermore, chronic stress weakens the immune system, leaving your dog more susceptible to infections and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.Beyond these physiological effects, stress-related behaviors like excessive chewing,  licking, or ingesting non-food items can irritate the digestive tract, exacerbating diarrhea.How To Deal With Stress-Related Diarrhea in DogsIf your dog is experiencing stress-related diarrhea, there are several things you can do to alleviate their discomfort and ensure a speedier recovery.Before anything else, it’s essential to identify and address stressors. Determine the underlying causes of your dog's stress or anxiety and take steps to minimize or eliminate them where possible. This may involve providing a calm, predictable environment, addressing separation anxiety, or using  desensitization techniques for noise phobias.Next, support their digestion with a mild, nurturing diet and the right supplements. Your pet’s tummy is upset, so you shouldn’t neglect the importance of rebalancing their gut biome and helping their digestion. Instead of their usual kibble, offer them a bit of broth, some cooked rice, or boiled chicken breast. Additionally, a digestive supplement such as  Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder can work wonders in managing symptoms of diarrhea. With a combination of special probiotics and antioxidants, this powdered supplement will quickly restore your pet’s GI tract and help their stool get back to its normal consistency. And since it’s packed with live microorganisms to benefit beneficial intestinal microflora, it can also help treat excessive gas and other digestion-related troubles, so it’s good to keep stocked in your pet’s first aid kit, especially if they have a sensitive stomach. 

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