Halloween is many people’s favorite holiday thanks to all the costumes, candy, and spooky activities. Pets can enjoy the fun, too, but even if you’re not bringing your pet trick-or-treating, you still have to think about how your dog or cat handles the night. If they get anxious around strangers or every time the doorbell rings, their holiday will be a lot more trick than treat.
How to Keep Your Pet Safe and Calm Around Trick-or-Treaters
When eager trick-or-treaters arrive on your doorstep in hopes of tasty goodies, it can send your pet into a tizzy. Sure, some pups and kitties couldn’t care less, but others go berserk with every ding-dong and knock-knock.
For some fur babies, the sound of the doorbell or a knock could be a source of terror. For others, it’s a signal to start jumping, barking, and yowling because they get super excited. Some pets go into protection mode; others think everyone is there to play.
You end up either trying to placate your pet or needing to use impressive reflexes to keep them from scooting out the door and running into the night. No matter which one of these habits applies to your furry friend, it’s a good idea to learn how to keep your pet calm during Halloween excitement.
Create a Safe Zone for Your Pet
Before trick-or-treating begins, give your pet a safe, comfortable place to retreat that’s far from the front door. If they already have a peaceful spot to call their own, make it even more inviting with their favorite toys and a tasty chew.
Offer Distractions
Spread your dog or cat’s favorite soft treat on a licking mat or inside an interactive toy to give them a yummy distraction. Not only will this give them something else to focus on, but it also encourages licking, which could help pets self-soothe by releasing endorphins.
Use Calming Aids
Playing some soft music for your pet or white noise can help mask the sound of the doorbell and knocks. You can also use calming aids, like pheromone sprays or calming collars, to help soothe your furry friend. Although the effectiveness of these products vary based on the pet, they could offer some relief.
If your pet gets really anxious, you might need to schedule an appointment with the vet to discuss potential stress-relieving options. They may recommend supplements or medicine. However, never give your pet medication without first discussing it with the vet.
Double Up on Safety
To provide an extra layer of security, place a safety gate across any openings that lead to the front door, if feasible. Or, place your dog or cat in a separate room and use a gate to limit their access during the trick-or-treat hours.
This is also a great time to check your pet’s current identification tags. Update outdated information, as well as any info on their microchip registry. You might also want to have your pet’s chip scanned to make sure everything is working properly.
Consider Your Pet’s Preferences
You know your pet best, so think about how they respond to different situations. Will they do better in a closed-off room or in a space where they can still see you? Do they need the security of a crate or kennel, or will they be content with a cozy bed in the corner?
Ultimately, the goal is to give your pet a space that makes them feel safe. When the doorbell starts ringing, they won’t stress because they know they have a quiet, calm place to go where they can be alone.
Ask Visitors to Knock
If your dog or cat only reacts like a wild animal to the sound of the doorbell, hang a sign outside asking people to please knock. Or, better yet, disconnect the doorbell for the evening.
This might not be the most foolproof way to help keep your pet calm around trick-or-treaters. But it’s a simple option if the only issue is the doorbell sound itself.
Sit on Your Porch
Let your dog or cat chill inside while you sit outside and hand out candy. If your neighborhood gets especially busy Halloween night, this can be a fun way to enjoy the festivities. You could even invite a few neighbors to share your porch and hand out goodies together.
Your fur baby can remain inside with another family member, or you can employ some of the calming tips from above. If you go with this idea, you eliminate the knocks and doorbell noise. Moreover, you won’t be walking back-and-forth to the door all night, which can also be a trigger for some pets.
Turn Out the Lights or Make a Self-Serve Treat Bowl
If you want your pet to stay calm around trick-or-treaters, you can always bow out of the custom altogether. Turn off the porch lights to signal to passersby that you won’t be handing out candy.
If you don’t want to skip out entirely, go the self-serve route. Stick a bowl of candy on the front porch with a sign inviting visitors to take a few. This custom is a common practice on Halloween night when people aren’t going to be home or aren’t able to answer the door.
Use this option if you want to offer goodies to the kiddos, but you’d prefer not to get up and down all night. It’s also a good pick if you aren’t feeling well or want to go to bed early.
Work on Your Pet’s Behavior With Visitors
Of course, the ultimate goal to keep your pets calm when visitors arrive would be to train them. You need to work toward this over time though, since you can’t expect to fix everything in one night. You would want to start by gradually desensitizing your pet to the sound of the bell or knocking.
Ask a friend to help out, and begin a few months before Halloween. Have your friend ring the bell or knock as you work with your pet. Reward desired responses, but don’t punish undesirable behavior.
Also, train your dog how to react when someone comes to the door. It’s also a good idea to teach your dog to stay behind a designated boundary when the door is open. Not only does this help them stay calm when people arrive, but it also decreases their odds of trying to escape.
Plan for the process to take time, and remain patient, positive, and consistent. If you struggle with training, it might be worth hiring a professional trainer or animal behavior specialist to lend a hand.
A Happy Halloween for Pets and People!
Remember, every pet handles Halloween excitement differently, so be patient and adjust your approach to fit their needs. Whether your furry friend prefers a quiet room away from the action or simply needs a little extra reassurance, planning ahead can make all the difference.
Dig deeper into the Neater Pets blog to find more Halloween tips for your pet and other ways to keep the season fun and safe. Whether you’re handing out candy, skipping trick-or-treating this year, or planning another festive activity, always consider your pet. After all, everyone deserves to have a happy Halloween!