Halloween and the period leading up to it can be a frightening and confusing time for many dogs.
Fireworks tend to be sudden, unpredictable and bright and sadly this combination of effects can often have a profoundly negative impact on some dogs.
If your dog is feeling scared or nervous, the charity has put together some tips you can do to help make sure your dog doesn’t get too upset or injure themselves in a panic.
Speaking about Halloween, Head of Operations at Dogs Trust, Karla Dunne said:
“Halloween can unfortunately be a terrifying and confusing experience for some dogs. Dogs’ hearing is approximately four times more sensitive than us humans and they can hear much higher frequency sounds than people, so you can imagine how loud the whizz, pop and bang of fireworks can be for dogs!
"We are asking people to please think twice about taking their dogs ‘trick or treating’ as the extra excitement around the event and meeting strangers may cause them distress.
We are also reminding people to keep treats and sweets away from your furry friends. Chocolate, raisins, grapes and the sweetener xylitol are toxic to dogs
"If you suspect your dog has eaten anything he shouldn’t, please call your local veterinary practice immediately and always store their out of hours’ emergency number on your phone"
Although Dogs Trust does not recommend taking your dog Trick or Treating, that does not mean your dog needs to be left out of the fun.
As well as keeping your dog safe, it is important to ensure that you can make the night as enjoyable as possible by keeping him distracted with treats and games.
Give your dog a Kong or K9 Connectables jam packed with tasty goodies, which will help keep him busy and calm.