It’s Halloween season, and you know your pet wants in on all the fun! There are many ways to include your pet in the celebration, but first we must ensure they are up for it while staying safe.

Pup’kin Spice Homemade Dog Treats

Feeling tempted to share your Halloween loot or favorite fall treats with your pet? Consider this safe alternative for healthy and yummy fall treats!

What you’ll need:

• 1 Can Pumpkin- make sure its not pumpkin pie filling, it should be pure pumpkin purée
• 1 Cup Oats
• 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter- ensure there are no artificial sweeteners like xylitol
• 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon- extra flavor!
• 1 tsp. Ground Turmeric- great for the joints!
• 1 tsp. Ground Ginger- great for the tummy!

Preheat your oven to 350F then mix all your ingredients together until everything is combined – it will be a bit dry and crumbly, but it will stick together and be malleable. (You want to aim for the texture of playdough.) Using your fingers, press the dough into your favorite paw print or bone shaped molds and place your cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat. If you don’t have a mold, roll out a teaspoon of dough and flatten onto the baking sheet with your thumb. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes, until the biscuits are hard/crunchy. (If you use a mold, they will be a little thick and will most likely need the full 45 minutes.) Let cool, then let your pup enjoy!

Halloween Safety Tips

Some pets love the hustle and bustle of Halloween, while others will find this spooky holiday a bit stressful. We recognize that animals are individuals, so while you while enjoy the festivities, consider how you can make sure your pet is safe and comfortable.

Increased doorbell & knocking activity:

If you have a dog that is easily aroused by noises, before the trick-or-treating starts, put your pet in a quiet room or crate where they will be safe from all the Halloween activity. Especially if your pup is likely to try to run out the front door a crate or a strong “place” command is a great option. Consider giving them a treat-filled enrichment toy and some soft music playing in the background to help distract them.

Make sure that all your pets are wearing tags with current IDs and that their microchip is registered with your most up-to-date information. Opening the door repeatedly for trick-or-treaters creates plenty of opportunities for a pet to slip outside and disappear into the night. Proper ID will help you reunite with your lost pet and take a recent picture of your pet that can be used for lost flyers just in case they get lost.

Spooky sights:

Prepare your dog for seeing costumed children and adults by wearing simple costumes at home before Halloween. Let them see you put the costumes on to reduce stress. If your dog investigates the costume give them lots of praise and reward them with a treat. Try to play their favorite games of fetch or tug while wearing the costume to create a positive association.

Dressing up your dog for Halloween can be lots 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. Try to slowly desensitize them to their costume before the holiday or opt out for a Halloween themed bandana or bowtie.

If your dog is fearful of holiday decorations, look at scary objects with them before you leave home. Take it slow and present one decoration at a time and reward them 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 are more likely to be off. Give your dog lots of praise and treats whenever they look 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.