Why Your Dog May Secretly Hate Halloween

To us, Halloween means costumes, candy and a parade of adorable kids at the door. To your dog, it may mean the doorbell ringing 47 times while strangers in masks keep appearing on the porch. Honestly, your dog has a point.

The doorbell won’t stop. Even a dog who usually enjoys visitors can get overwhelmed by the constant noise and activity. Give your dog a quiet room away from the front door, with a favorite bed, toy or food puzzle. Put them there before the trick-or-treaters arrive.

Those costumes look strange. Masks, bulky outfits and unfamiliar voices can make friendly neighbors seem like entirely new people. Don’t force your dog to greet visitors or children in costume. Let them watch from a comfortable distance, or skip the introductions altogether.

Their own costume feels strange, too. Some dogs happily wear a little Halloween outfit. Others would prefer to be a dog, thank you very much. If your dog freezes, paws at the costume or tries to remove it, take it off. Any costume they do wear should allow them to move, see and breathe comfortably.

The front door is suddenly an escape route. With people coming and going, a startled dog may slip outside. Keep your dog safely away from the door, and check that their ID tag and microchip information are current.

Finally, keep candy out of reach, especially chocolate and anything containing xylitol. If your dog gets into the candy bowl, call your veterinarian or a pet poison control service right away.

Your dog doesn’t have to love Halloween to have a good one. A peaceful room, a favorite treat and permission to sit this holiday out may be exactly their idea of a celebration.