Like the grumpy guy in your office who opts out of the costume contest every year, not all pets are down for Halloween. Some are game to dress up as the Robin to your Batman and hit the town. And for some, it’s their own personal nightmare. What’s right for yours?

HAUNTING THE STREETS

Let’s get real. Halloween means large crowds, lots of exposure to kids of all ages and other pets. Will your pet be comfortable with all that? If that’s a definite yes, here’s our Halloween night out checklist.

• Do a test run at home
  Dress up, put on a mask, and play some spooky noises. If they don’t react well, time to reconsider.

• Improve those leash skills
  Find the right leash and collar, practice retractable leash safety and even take a training class.
  We recommend short leashes to keep them close in the crowds. 

• Make sure their costume is comfy
  

  Try it on in advance to see if it’s comfortable, well ventilated and your pet can move freely. Make sure to monitor their behavior and body language when in costume; if they look annoyed, lose the outfit.

•  Prepare your pet for a night of walking
  Add a light to their collar for extra visibility during trick-or-treating and night walks all season long.
  Schedule a nail trim to make walking easier on their feet. 

• Know when to call it a night
  Keep an eye on your pet’s body language for signs of stress and take them home if needed.

HIDING UNDER THE SHEETS

If your pet doesn’t love socializing under the best of circumstances, hates loud noises and training has thus far been ineffective, congrats, you’re the proud pet parent of an introvert. Here’s our checklist for keeping your homebody feeling safe and secure while things go bump in the night.

• Work on their response to guests at the door
  Start training your pet now with treats to get them desensitized to the chime of the doorbell and consider a pet gate to prevent them from bolting out the front door.

• Put up a sign for trick-or-treaters
  If endless doorbell ringing sets off your pet, post a note asking folks to just knock.

• Find pets a happy place away from the action
  In a quiet room, tuck your dog into his crate or let your cat hide out in their fav drawer. Distract them by turning on some quiet music or white noise.

• Help them relax
  Some pets may be overwhelmed by Halloween and the constant stream of visitors. Give them a quiet, calm spot to relax inside and consider trying CBD and other calming products to ease anxiety.

• Careful with the candy, but don’t forget the treats
  Keep the Halloween goodies out of reach, and lots of pet rewards and high-value treats on hand for good behavior. Remember that chocolate isn’t the only candy to look out for. Sugar-free candy or reduced sugar products with xylitol and wrappers can also be dangerous.

• If all else fails, lights out
  If all the bustle is too much for your pet, say no to trick-or-treaters and yes to peace and quiet.