Dog Costumes: Trick-Or-Treat for You and Your Pet
Five Great Halloween Gifts for Your Dog Under $15
Halloween always seems to creep up. Before you know it the seasons have changed and everything goes from red and blue to black and orange. Before those black and orange colors are traded in for a more festive red and green, treat your dog without tricking your wallet. There are plenty of fun little Halloween surprises to spoil your pup with that are under $15!
1. Creepy Cutie Dog Toy – $4.99
Halloween pet toys have never been so delightfully devilish as our Zanies® Creepy Cuties. Plush bat, ghost and pumpkin designs; each with a squeaker inside.
2. Spooky Night Dog Collar – $7.99-$12.99
Our Casual Canine® Spooky Night Dog Collars are perfect for Halloween walks. Spooky designed polyester overlay is stitched on nylon backing for added durability. Collars feature plastic buckles and a nickel-plated D-ring. Coordinating Leads are available.
3. Gourmet Halloween Dog Cookies Box – $9.99
Barkworth Gourmet Halloween Cookies are tasty, all natural dog treats in five spooky Halloween shapes. These dog cookies are made from natural ingredients for a tasty, wholesome treat.
4. Doggie Doodles Bandanas – $5.99
Dress up any canine friend with these Aria™ Doggie Doodles Bandanas. Measuring 19″ square, they can easily be cut down to size for smaller dogs. These eye-catching dog bandanas are a great way to add a touch of color and style. Great for Halloween, or any time of year.
5. Gruntin’ Pumpkins Dog Toys – $8.99-$14.99
These Grriggles® Gruntin’ Pumpkins are not only great for Halloween time fun, they’re an adorable addition to any pup’s toy selection. The grunter and crinkle paper inside add tons of fun.
Halloween Safety for Dogs
Halloween is not only a fun holiday for children, but dogs and their owners as well! Dressing up, trick or treating and eating tasty treats can be the best perks of Halloween for humans and dogs alike. There are also many potential hazards and sources of stress for your dog during this holiday that can be easily avoided by following these few simple tips.
Dressing your dog up is one of the best parts of Halloween. From pirates to pigs, fairies to elephants, something about a dog dressed up in a costume is just too cute not to do. However, making sure your dog is comfortable and calm in clothing is key before deciding on a costume. Start by taking a simple article of clothing such as a Holiday Dog Bandanna or a light weight tshirt like our Ghost Dog Tee. If your dog seems to like dressing up and is not bothered by the clothing, then a costume could be the next step! Make sure to choose an outfit that fits your dog properly. If it’s too tight, it can cause discomfort and cut off circulation. If it’s too loose it can get stuck on objects or cause your dog walking issues from tripping over the excess fabric. The best way to ensure a proper fit is to take your dog’s measurements then compare with a size chart. After you have accurate measurements, you can pick out one of our adorable costumes to dress your fur baby in, like the Lil Sheep Dog Costume!
Another safety hazard for dogs is all the candy laying around. Many people leave candy out in a bowl for trick or treaters, and a lot gets dropped from children running house to house. Make sure to keep extra close attention to what your dog is eating and keep them away from all candy and wrappers that could cause harm. In order to prevent your dog from going after any food in sight, stock up on dog friendly treats like our Trick or Treat Pumpkin Rawhides. These natural dog chews are safe and tasty for your dog to chomp, while providing an extra special Halloween treat! One major point of stress on Halloween for your dog is the constant ringing of the doorbell. Most dogs tend to get overexcited when the doorbell rings, so imagining it ringing all day! If your dog tends to get worked up over the doorbell it may be best to keep them at a distance by using a dog or baby gate to confine them to an area in the house they feel comfortable in away from the door. By following these simple Halloween safety tips you and your fur baby can both have a happy, safe Halloween experience. And remember to include your dog in the Halloween fun!
How to Safely Dye Your Dog’s Hair
One of the latest trends in dog fashion, as well as one of the most controversial, is coloring your dog’s hair. Many people are extremely offended by this practice because they think that it is harmful to dogs, but that is not true. Human hair dye is very harmful to dogs and should never be used, but there are many other options that are safe and harmless to dogs.
Safe options you can find in your kitchen are food coloring and Kool-Aid. You can mix these with water and either spray them on with a spray bottle, sponge on, or fill the bathtub or sink with the colored water and pour over your dog. These are not very long lasting and usually wash out after the first or second wash. This would be a good option for a one time event, such as Halloween or St. Patrick’s Day.
Vegetable based dyes made for humans like Manic Panic come in a variety of colors and are pet friendly. However, for best results, I would suggest using hair dye made specifically for dogs. They are completely non toxic and will not harm your dog in any way and most are CFTA certified.
Before you dye your dog’s hair, brush out the coat to remove any tangles or mats. Test the dye on a small patch before proceeding, to ensure that your dog will not have an allergic reaction. Shampoo your pet and then apply the dye to wet fur and leave on for 15 minutes. Do not get the dye in your dog’s eyes and avoid dying areas too close to eyes. If the color is not dark or bright enough, leave it on for more time to increase color intensity. Rinse thoroughly and dry your dog’s coat. You can use a hair dryer on a low setting to quickly dry the hair and set the color. If you are coloring limited areas such as just the ears or tail, you can apply the dye directly to dry fur. Make sure that you wear protective gloves to prevent staining of your skin. This dye should last between 4 to 6 washes, though results will vary with the type of coat and the breed.
