Short answer: at Halloween, safety comes first – keep chocolate, sweets and wrappers away from your dog, never leave lit candles in pumpkins at its height, and give it a quiet room while guests ring the doorbell. If you want to dress your dog up for the occasion, choose a comfortable warm sweater rather than a costume that restricts movement or breathing. Autumn evenings are dark, wet and chilly, so visible clothing, cleaning the paws and drying properly after a walk matter just as much.
Safety at home on the night
Chocolate, sweets and xylitol
Chocolate is toxic to dogs – the darker it is, the more dangerous. Many "sugar-free" chewing gums and sweets, as well as some baked goods, contain the sweetener xylitol, which is dangerous to dogs even in small amounts. Raisins in cakes are not for dogs either. Keep the bowl of treats for the children up high and ask young guests not to share with the dog. If your dog has eaten chocolate or anything containing xylitol, contact a vet immediately, without waiting for symptoms, and take the packaging with you.
Wrappers, sticks and decorations
Foil, cellophane and plastic lollipop sticks can choke a dog or block its intestines. Dogs explore the world with their nose and mouth, so clear wrappers away straight away and secure decorations – cobwebs, garlands, small figures – so the dog cannot reach or pull them down.
Pumpkins and candles
A lit candle inside a carved pumpkin can burn a curious nose or set a tail alight, and a knocked-over pumpkin can start a fire. Place pumpkins up high or use LED candles. Candle wax can upset the stomach, and a carved pumpkin left out for a few days starts to go mouldy – throw it away before the dog has a taste.
Doorbell, guests and strangers
Constant ringing, people in masks and noise can unsettle even a calm dog, and an open door is the perfect moment to bolt. If you are expecting guests or trick-or-treaters, settle your dog in a quiet room with its bed, water and a favourite toy – a radio playing will mask the doorbell. If the dog stays with you, clip on the lead before opening the door. Check that the collar carries a tag with an up-to-date phone number and that the microchip details are current.
Costume or sweater
Many people search for a "dog costume" for Halloween. At groom.bg we do not sell costumes, but warm dog clothing – and we think that is the better choice for most dogs. Costumes often have masks, hoods over the eyes, elastic around the neck or small parts the dog can chew off, and they get in the way of movement, sight, hearing or breathing. Whatever you choose, check that it:
- does not cover the eyes, ears or muzzle and does not squeeze the neck or chest;
- lets the dog walk, sit and lie down freely without tripping;
- has no dangling or easily detached parts that could be swallowed;
- lets the dog relieve itself without soiling the garment.
Get your dog used to it gradually: let it sniff the garment, reward it with a treat, and the first time leave it on for 10–15 minutes. If the dog freezes, tries to take it off or looks tense, remove it – the occasion is not worth the stress.
A Halloween photo idea with a sweater
Instead of a costume, dress your dog in a warm sweater or jumpsuit with a fun pattern – you get a festive photo, and your dog stays warm and can move freely. For small dogs that like to pose, the red knit sweater dress with a high collar and a tartan skirt is a good choice. New seasonal styles are added all the time, so browse the current sweaters and jackets and choose the size by back length and chest girth.
Set out a few unlit pumpkins, a handful of dry leaves and a blanket in autumn colours, shoot in daylight and hold a treat above the lens so your dog looks at you. Several short attempts with breaks give better photos than one long session.
Autumn walks: darkness, mud and a wet coat
Be visible
At the end of October the clocks go back an hour and the evening walk is suddenly in the dark. Choose well-lit routes, keep your dog on the lead near roads and use clothing with reflective elements. The Hurtta Extreme Warmer winter jacket (size 40 cm) has reflective details, a heat-reflecting lining and a high collar against the wind. The red winter jacket with fleece and reflective strips is lined with fleece and wadding, zips along the back and has an opening for the lead – it is designed for larger dogs.
What your dog should not eat in the park
Autumn is the season of horse chestnuts, acorns and mushrooms. Chestnuts and acorns can upset the stomach and, if swallowed whole, block the intestines. Mushrooms cannot be told apart by eye, so do not let your dog eat any. Steer around piles of wet leaves, which can hide mouldy food, and do not let your dog drink from stagnant puddles. If it has eaten a mushroom, contact a vet immediately and, if possible, take a photo of the mushroom.
Mud and cleaning the paws
Dogs lick their paws, so mud and whatever they pick up on the way ends up in their mouth. Clean the paws after every wet walk. The Bugalugs Lavender & Chamomile No-Rinse Paw Cleaner foam has a built-in soft silicone brush that also cleans between the toes, after which you simply wipe the paws with a dry towel. For muddy legs and bellies, the Bugalugs Fragrance Free Pet Glove Wipes are handy – fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and biodegradable, easy to keep by the door. You will find more about after-walk habits in our article on cleaning the paws and nose balm.
Drying
A wet coat, especially a dense one with an undercoat, holds moisture against the skin and the dog gets cold quickly. Dry it thoroughly, paying attention to the spaces between the toes, the armpits and the area under the harness. The Show Tech+ Dry Mate absorbent towel takes up to 8 times its own weight in water and wrings out easily, so drying is quicker than with an ordinary towel. Take wet clothing off as soon as you get home and let it dry before the next walk, and only put a sweater on a dry coat.
A warm layer for chilly evenings
Not every dog needs clothing. It helps most for dogs with short coats or no undercoat, small and slim dogs, puppies and older dogs, and dogs that have had an autumn trim. Dogs with a dense double coat usually do not need it. If your dog shivers, lifts its paws, hunches up or does not want to walk, it is cold.
- A sweater – for dry, chilly days. A knitted sweater keeps your dog warm without weighing it down and can be worn as an extra layer under a jacket; when choosing, check the back length in the size table.
- A jacket or jumpsuit – for rain, wind and cold. A waterproof outer fabric and a warm lining keep your dog dry, and a jumpsuit also covers the legs, which makes it practical for muddy walks.
How to choose the size
Measure the back length – from the base of the neck to the base of the tail – the chest at its widest point behind the front legs, and the neck. Compare the measurements with the size table on the product page. The garment should let the front legs move freely, should not rub the armpits and should leave room for two fingers underneath. If your dog is between two sizes, go by the chest measurement. Take the garment off indoors so the dog does not overheat.
Seasonal scents: Pumpkin Latte
For the autumn bath, Bugalugs offer a pumpkin latte scent. The Bugalugs Spooky Edition Pumpkin Latte shampoo is vegan, pH balanced and contains essential oils of nutmeg, cardamom, orange, lemon, cedarwood and ginger. It is suitable for all breeds and is diluted 10:1 – 10 parts water to 1 part shampoo. Between baths, the Pumpkin Latte Dog Cologne deodorising spray freshens the coat – with aloe vera and pro-vitamin B5, for dogs and puppies over 8 weeks. Spray onto a clean, dry coat from 15–20 cm, away from the eyes and muzzle. The spray does not replace bathing and is not meant for cats. Both products are limited seasonal editions. How to use a dog fragrance without overdoing it is explained in our article Dog fragrance: cologne or deodorising spray.
Suitable products
You will find knitted styles for dry, chilly days in the dog sweaters collection, and jackets and waterproof jumpsuits in dog jackets. Paw foams and pad balms are gathered in Care – paws and nose. If you have a care plan in your profile (My pets), add a reminder for the autumn bath with Pumpkin Latte.
Read more: gifts for dogs and cats and how often to bathe your dog.
Frequently asked questions
Do you sell Halloween costumes for dogs?
No. We offer warm clothing – sweaters, jackets and jumpsuits that work for a festive photo as well as for everyday walks. A sweater with a fun pattern is a comfortable alternative to a costume.
What should I do if my dog eats chocolate or sweets?
Contact a vet immediately, even if the dog seems fine. Say what and roughly how much it ate and take the packaging with you. Dark chocolate and anything containing xylitol are especially dangerous. Do not induce vomiting yourself unless the vet tells you to.
Can dogs eat pumpkin?
A small amount of boiled or baked pumpkin without sugar, salt or spices is usually safe. Do not give the skin or stem, pumpkins that have been used as decorations, or pumpkin cakes and drinks. If your dog is on a special diet or has a sensitive stomach, ask your vet.
Does my dog need clothing in autumn?
It depends on its coat, size and age – see the section "A warm layer for chilly evenings" above. Shivering and reluctance to walk outdoors are signs that your dog is cold.
