The spooky season is finally upon us, and we all want to celebrate with our cuddly puppy pals! The tricky part about most holidays is figuring out how to include your puppy in your festivities—and Halloween is no different. Taking your pup trick-or-treating, for example, can be filled with countless obstacles that take the fun out of Halloween. 

That’s why we recommend throwing your cuddly fur-baby a Halloween party! There’s nothing cuter than seeing your puppy and their pet pals having fun while dressed in adorable Halloween costumes.

Now, throwing a puppy Halloween party can be tons of work, but here are a few great tips to keeping it fun and safe for your furry friend and your guests!

1. Put up dog-friendly Halloween decorations.

One of the best parts about throwing a Halloween party are the spooky decorations you get to fill your house with! There are numerous dog-themed decorations you can use to make your house as spooktacular as you can. Some wonderful decor options include an inflatable hanging dog decoration from the movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas or a Crazy Bonez skeleton dog. 

You can also decorate your house with cobwebs, plastic spiders, pumpkins, and lights. Make sure to stay away from any item that poses as a potential hazard for your puppy, including cords/cables, candles, and ribbons.

2. Choose a cute puppy costume.

We love seeing our puppies dressed up as a hotdog or Batman. But while it’s all fun and games for us, your puppy may not feel so great. Many dogs don’t actually like dressing up as much as others. They may feel uncomfortable, irritated, and even scared. 

If your puppy becomes anxious when putting on a costume, take it off immediately. Don’t try to force them to wear anything they don’t want. Instead, opt for a cute spooky-themed bandana or collar so they look spiffy during the party. We promise they will look just as cute as in costume!

3. Make yummy doggy treats and food.

Any party worth attending needs delicious food and treats for guests! When it comes to puppies, however, it gets a little complicated. First off, your puppy will need to consume a balanced meal to meet their nutritional needs.

Same goes for other puppies and pets in attendance. You will need to make sure the food you serve to all pet pal guests contains the appropriate ingredients as well. Never give out normal Halloween candy and treats to your puppy and pet guests. Even a treat as small as bubblegum can make a furry friend very sick. Treats that can contain chocolate and xylitol are also deadly.

Be sure to ask the other fur-parents if it’s okay to give these treats to their fur-babies. And of course, always have plenty of fresh water available for all guests, and food for your human guests!  You can check out our Homemade Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Treats recipe for possible DIY options.

4. Engage dogs in fun party activities.

You don’t need to plan out your party activities with your furry guests. Just make sure you have an open space (like your backyard), some chewable toys lying around, and you’re good to go! You can try engaging your furry pets by throwing one of the toys so they can chase it. 

Through these activities, your puppy can practice their social skills, allowing them to grow into well-mannered adults! If you want your human guests to participate, try holding a fun costume contest. You can include categories like cutest, spookiest, most creative costumes, and many more. You may even give out prizes and treats for any winners. After all, what’s a contest without any prizes?

Halloween parties are fun, and they’re made better with dogs in the mix! Be sure to send out invites early, and to get a helping hand from fellow puppy parents. As long as you take your puppy’s feelings and safety into consideration, we’re sure you both will have an amazing time together. 

If you would like to learn how to keep your puppy safe during Halloween, read our blog, 5 Tips for Your Pup’s Safety This Halloween for more information.