Getting Into the Fun of Halloween With Toys for Your Dog

October 8, 2020 • BaxterBoo Team

Just because you enjoy a good fright, doesn’t mean your dog will love it as well. Halloween can actually be a stressful time for your dog, so you’ll need to pay special attention to any cues he’s giving you about feeling anxious. It can also be a dangerous time, as more toxic treats are brought into the house and dangerous decorations are hanging about. While Halloween can be a risky time of year for the pup in your life, it can also be enjoyable.

You’ve got the spiders put up, the skeleton is hanging out in the front yard and the jack-o-lanterns have been carved, but you need to make sure your dog isn’t left out. As you decorate, make treats and plan your celebrations, it’s important you are intentional about safely including your dog. For example, if you’re planning to take Fluffy trick-or-treating with the kids, you’ll probably want to bring along some healthy dog treats so she doesn’t try to eat toxic chocolate. When you’re decorating, you should probably avoid putting harmful decorations at a level the dog will be able to get into. Whether you’re worried about safety, stress or any other issues at Halloween, the following are some toys that will make it more fun for everyone including the dog.

Toys That Look Like Treats

You should have some actual dog treats on hand for those moments when Fido tries to get a hold of the kids’ candy. You can toss him a Fruitables Skinny Minis Dog Treat instead. With a pumpkin/berry flavor, they’re perfect for Halloween, especially if you’re taking the dog trick-or-treating. When you feel the dog has had enough treats for the night, you can turn to a toy that looks like a treat. The ZippyPaws Donutz Dog Toy is just one example. When the family has finished their chili and you pull out the donuts, toss your dog a ZippyPaws Donut so he can feel like he’s a part of the celebration.

Trick-or-Treating Toys

When your kids go out trick-or-treating, they might have one of those plastic jack-o-lantern buckets to fill up. Your dog is going to want to check it out to see what’s inside. Instead of letting him get sick on the candy that’s inside, give him his own trick-or-treating bucket. The P.L.A.Y. Howl-O-Ween Treat Basket is a toy made just for this situation. It looks just like your children’s bucket, comes complete with three plush candy-shaped toys and includes a squeaker for added fun. This is a great way to distract your furry family member when the kids start pulling out all those treats that are toxic to dogs. It’s also a good burrow toy for your dog to learn a new skill.

Toys That Double as Decorations

Some of the most dangerous Halloween decorations for dogs are spiderwebs, jack-o-lanterns, balloons and glow sticks. Fortunately, there are certain dog toys that double as decorations. The Snugarooz Halloween Jack-O-Bot the Robot toy is just one example. It’s the perfect addition to any couch. Just toss it on with the throw pillows and it will spruce up the space for Halloween. The dog can play with it any time, and you can toss it back on the couch when she’s done. The ZippyPaws Halloween Grunterz Spider is another example that’s the perfect size to set on a coffee table, but the dog can grab it any time to play.

Exercise-Inducing Toys

If you’re looking for something that will get your dog moving on Halloween, or any time you wish to see something funny, try out the Humunga Chomp dog toy . It’s a ball you can use to play toss, hide and seek, or fetch, but it’s created so as to look like your dog has a beautiful smile when he’s got it in his teeth. A loofa dog toy or a braided rope can also get your dog moving, rather than just sitting and waiting for more trick-or-treaters.

Toys That Curb Anxiety

Halloween comes with a lot of new noises and scary sights. Your dog may not enjoy hearing the doorbell every five minutes for three hours that evening. Your pup might get scared at some of the frightening costumes around town. One thing you can do to help curb that anxiety is keep the dog in a separate room and give him a calming toy. The Chamomile Scented Calming Toy is just one idea. With its soothing scent and treat dispenser, the dog will feel more relaxed and comforted while waiting for the night to get over.

Glow-in-the-Dark Toys

Nothing says “Halloween” like a toy that glows in the dark! Your dog might enjoy the extra challenge of playing fetch with a toy in the dark. Whether you’re outside or indoors, the Glow-in-the-Dark Tall Tails Fetch Balls are the perfect toy for the night of fright. If you notice old Fido getting interested in a glow stick, divert his attention to this ball as a safer alternative. There are also frisbees, a Flying Squirrel toy and many others that would be suitable glow-in-the-dark toys for Halloween.

As you can see, there are almost endless opportunities for your dog to have fun on Halloween. While it is often a night filled with anxiety for many pups, you can take certain steps to make it enjoyable. You know your furry family member better than anyone else, so think about what would make him most happy on Halloween and get to it!