🎃 Howl-o-ween Safety Tips for Dogs

Halloween can be a blast with costumes, candy, and chaos included, but for your dog, it’s kind of like a jump scare that never ends. Between the doorbell ringing and people knocking, loud strangers in masks, and chocolate lurking around every corner, this spooky season can turn stressful fast. Here’s how to keep your pup safe, calm, and out of trouble while you enjoy your haunted fun.

Guard That Door!

Even the most well-behaved dogs can pull a disappearing act on Halloween night. With the door constantly opening for trick-or-treaters, your pup has endless opportunities to wiggle their way out.

Before the first knock, set up yourself up for success:

Use a baby gate, crate, or leash (yes, you can use leashes inside!) to block access to the front door.

Create a calm retreat in another room with the TV or white noise on to muffle the doorbell chaos.

Set your dog up with something relaxing like Stashios Soothing Sauce® in a Soothing Saucer®. It’s the ultimate chill combo to help take the edge off and keep them occupied.

If your dog tends to be wary of kids, masks, loud noises, or general nonsense, skip the exposure altogether. Let them hang out in their safe zone with something tasty instead of forcing them into the mayhem.

The Dark Side of Chocolate

Here’s the deal, chocolate is toxic for dogs. The culprit is a pair of compounds called theobromine and caffeine, both of which dogs metabolize way slower than we do. The darker the chocolate, the higher the danger.

If your dog manages to snatch a Snickers or inhale a Hershey bar:

Don’t panic - note what they ate, how much, and what type of chocolate it was (dark, milk, etc.).

Call your vet - or reach out to ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).

Don’t try home remedies - like inducing vomiting unless your vet specifically tells you to.

Symptoms of chocolate toxicity can include vomiting, restlessness, panting, rapid heart rate, tremors, and in severe cases, seizures. So stash that candy where your dog can’t get it (and yes, that means not on the coffee table).

Other Trick-or-Treat Trouble

Chocolate isn’t the only candy culprit. Many Halloween goodies contain ingredients that can upset or seriously harm your dog’s system.

Xylitol (aka birch sugar) - Found in sugar-free candies, gum, and even some peanut butters. It causes blood sugar to plummet and can lead to liver failure.

Hard candy & wrappers - Choking hazard, plain and simple.

High sugar levels - Not toxic, but guaranteed to cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, or a case of “Halloween regret.”

Moral of the story: Keep the candy bowl for the humans and give your dog their own safe snacks. Stashios Magic Mix ® makes a fun (and safe) way to get your dog in on the Halloween fun. Turn “trick or treat” into “tricks for treats” and let your dog earn a reward instead of sneaking forbidden sweets.