You may think Halloween is only for the kids, but you can celebrate with your pet too! Of course there are some dangers for pets that come with Halloween like chocolate, decoration ingestion and even missing pets (since the neighborhood is extra busy during this holiday), but we’re here to give you some ideas of fun Halloween pet activities you can do with your furry companions this season.
Go Pumpkin/Apple Picking or To A Corn Maze
Oftentimes, pumpkin patches and corn mazes are pet friendly so why not bring your dog!? You should always double check with each location before bringing your pet to make sure it is safe. You and your dog can stroll through a pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin to carve (BONUS! Since pure pumpkin is safe for pets, you can make treats with it as well!) Or maybe you want to get lost in a corn maze with your pooch? This is not only a great source of exercise for you and your dog, but it can also be great practice for them to smell their way through the maze (and maybe even help you get out!?). However you should make sure your dog does not eat any corn cobs while inside the maze. Corn cobs can cause obstructions and can often be fatal, so be sure your dog is only munching on approved snacks during your adventure. A couple pet friendly places we recommend are: Ort Farms in Long Valley, or Windy Brow Farms in Newton (more for apple picking, but they also have some delicious baked treats and ice cream too!).
If you’re looking for a regular hike to take in some of the changing leaves, then you should check out Sunrise Mountain which is a part of Stokes State Forest in Branchville. There you will find the perfect hike for you and your pet and a wonderful spot to take a break and take in the beautiful scenery around you.
One of Our Favorite Halloween Pet Activities – Making Pet Safe Halloween Treats!
Of course, our pets can’t have the same sweet treats as us for Halloween. Luckily, things like apples and pumpkins are pet safe so they can enjoy a taste of the season as well! You can make treats with pumpkin, but you can also feed plain pumpkin to your pets to help with digestion and with anal gland issues. Check out this site with some paw-some recipes for pet safe treats you can make at home (and maybe even enjoy with your pet!).
Find Matching Costumes To Wear
The past year of lockdowns and distancing has definitely brought us closer to our pets, so why not have a matching Halloween costume!? You should always consider how your pet will feel when wearing a costume first. If your pet doesn’t like dressing up normally, then use caution when attempting a Halloween costume as it could cause your pet unnecessary stress. However, If your pet does like to dress up, then check out this great list from Countryliving.com with 24 of the best matching costumes to try with your pet.
Interactive Festive Toys
Puzzle and interactive toys are a great way to get your pet involved and up and about. Of course toys for your pet are a fun thing to buy all year long, but festive toys can add a little more fun to your home and your pets life. Toys that involve placing treats inside are actually a great exercise tool as well as your pet has to work for each treat. Check out this list from Rover.com with some fun festive toys to get for your pet this Halloween.
There are so many ways to incorporate your pet into the Halloween fun, just make sure they are always kept safe (just like the kids!). Including our pets like family is just a way of life now, so don’t be surprised if you see a little dog show up at your door in costume instead of a child! Check out our website here to learn more about us, and read more of our blog posts with helpful tips and information here.
