Treats for Our Four-Legged Trick-or-Treaters

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 enjoying the festivities, consider it from your pet’s perspective.

Melissa Smith, from the Humane Society of the United States, shares four ways we can protect our pets during Halloween.

1. Halloween hype causes pet stress

Minimize noise by sitting outside to keep trick-or-treaters from knocking on the door or ringing the bell.

Even if you are just having friends over for a Halloween party, keep your pets away from the festivities in their safe room. Masks and costumes change how people look and smell to a pet, so even familiar people may become frightening. Put a sign on the door to the safe room so your guests know it’s off-limits.

2. Halloween candy—a treat for you, a trick for your pet(s)

Pre-Halloween and during trick-or-treating, keep candy safely stashed in a high cabinet secured with a lock or child-safety latch. Many foods, such as chocolate, gum and xylitol (a sweetener used in many foods) are hazardous to pets.

Watch your kids! Children may make the harmful mistake of sharing their loot. Make sure they know the difference between a treat for them and a treat for their four-legged friends.

Keep the 24-hour  handy: 888-426-4435. (The hotline may charge a consultation fee.) If you suspect your pet has eaten something that’s bad for them, call your veterinarian or the Poison Control Center immediately.

3. Steer your pets away from dangerous Halloween decorations

Be aware of which decorations pose threats. Some hazards are obvious, like lit candles (fire hazards and toxic to birds if scented). Other potentially dangerous decorations include rubber eyeballs (choking risk), glow sticks and fake blood (possible poisons), fake cobwebs (can choke or entangle pets and wildlife), potpourri (toxic to birds) and strung lights. Watch out for those candy wrappers and plastic packaging too!

4. Be cautious with pet Halloween costumes

If you do choose a costume for your pet, consider your pet’s personality and what type of costume they may tolerate and for how long. Masks and hats that fit around the face, for example, may be OK for the length of time it takes to snap a quick pic, but they can pose dangers and make your pet feel uncomfortable. Best to keep pet costumes minimal.

For more Halloween safety tips for pets, and more info about The Humane Society of the United States, .

Melissa also shared this very delicious snack. It’s great for everyone in the family, including the furry ones!

Vegan Pumpkin Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (185g)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (60g)
• 2 tbsp ground flax meal
• 1 1/3 cups oat flour (160-180g)*
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon, optional

Directions

1. Preheat: Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
2. Combine: Add the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, flax seeds and cinnamon (if using) into a food processor and blend until combined.
3. Process: Add in the oat flour and process until a dough forms.
4. Cut: Lightly flour a cutting board and roll out the dough (around 1/4 inch thick). Use cookie cutters to cut as many pieces as you can and place them onto a parchment lined baking tray.
5. Gather the remaining dough and repeat until you run out of dough.
6. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes.
7. Let them cool on a cooling rack and them store in the fridge for 1 week or freezer for 2 months.