Table of Contents
- Halloween Activities for Dogs: 12 Fun Ideas!
- 1. Trick-or-Treat Walk
- 2. Set up a Dog-Friendly Trick-or-Treat Station
- 3. Pet-Friendly Halloween Costume Parade or Contest
- 4. Local “Spooky” Doggy Playdates
- 5. Host a Halloween Doggy Party
- 6. Bake Homemade Halloween Dog Treats
- 7. Pumpkin Patch Visit
- 8. DIY Halloween Photoshoot
- 9. Pumpkin Carving with Dogs
- 10. Scavenger Hunt with Treats
- 11. Watch a Dog-Friendly Halloween Movie
- 12. Evening Bonfire or Cozy Fall Night
- Halloween Activities for Dogs FAQs
- Halloween Activities for Dogs: Conclusion
Halloween fun will not be complete without celebrating it with our dogs.
While you can't give your dog the usual Halloween sweets and chocolates, there are activities and treats they can safely enjoy!
Listed below are fun Halloween activities for dogs and owners that are affordable, easy to set up, and fun!
Halloween Activities for Dogs: 12 Fun Ideas!
1. Trick-or-Treat Walk
Dogs can absolutely enjoy trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Instead of leaving your dog at home, get him a costume, a small treat bag, and a comfortable harness.
However, since common Halloween sweets and treats are toxic to dogs, you can pack dog-friendly treats instead and enjoy a festive walk around the neighborhood.
Remember that most dogs can become anxious when trick-or-treating due to the presence of unfamiliar people in scary costumes. As soon as they show signs of stress or anxiety, it's best to pick them up and head back home.
You can also do your trick-or-treat walk in the morning or before the sun goes down. This way, your dog can burn the energy before the spooky night starts.
2. Set up a Dog-Friendly Trick-or-Treat Station
Instead of walking around to trick-or-treat, you can create a more relaxed atmosphere for your pup and set up a dog-friendly trick-or-treat station outside your home.
Place a bowl of dog-safe treats for canine trick-or-treaters, and make your pup the host and greet other dogs in costume!
3. Pet-Friendly Halloween Costume Parade or Contest
What's Halloween without the costumes, right? For most Americans, this is arguably the most exciting part of celebrating Halloween with their dogs!
Dress up your pup in a comfy, dog-safe costume and join a local Halloween pet parade or contest. It’s a fun way to socialize and show off their festive style.
To make it more fun, you can even wear matching costumes.
Your dog could be the pot of honey to your Pooh or the peanut butter to your jelly. I have also seen dogs dressed like their owners, with glasses, shoes, suits, and more!
4. Local “Spooky” Doggy Playdates
Imagine taking your pup to a ‘spooky' fun-filled doggy playdate with other pets in costumes.
Start by taking a look at Facebook. There are many local Facebook dog groups for meetups and special events.
If you can't find an event, you can also create one and have it at a public dog park or dog-friendly business.
5. Host a Halloween Doggy Party
You can also take it up a notch and host your own Halloween doggy party!
These events are always a blast, and they don't have to be overly stressful.
You can begin planning by making a list of your dog's best canine friends. The other major things to consider are the venue, decoration, activities, and treats.
You can check out our full guide on planning your own Halloween dog party.
Not only will you smile seeing your cute sweetheart playing with his friends, but you can also mingle and socialize with fellow pet parents!
6. Bake Homemade Halloween Dog Treats
While your dog won't be able to participate in the entirety of this Halloween dog activity, they will enjoy the finished product.
Get creative in the kitchen with pumpkin, peanut butter, or apple-based recipes shaped like ghosts or bones.
We have tons of dog treat recipes you can make for your pup, but some personal favorites of mine include:
- Sweet Potato Cookies
- Peanut Butter Ghost Treats
- Pumpkin Spice Puppuccinos
- Refreshing skull frozen treats
- Spooky No-Bake Peanut Butter Delights
- Blueberry Yogurt Ice Scream
7. Pumpkin Patch Visit
For a more laid-back Halloween day activity, you can visit a pumpkin patch!
Many pumpkin patches welcome dogs. Bring your pup along for photos among the pumpkins and let them enjoy the fall scents.
They can practice their sniffing game here and enjoy dog-friendly pumpkin treats while you pick pumpkins, bake treats, or relax.
8. DIY Halloween Photoshoot
This is something you can do at home, but it's still fun and creative!
You can set up a spooky backdrop in your backyard with pumpkins, leaves, or spooky props and snap adorable photos of your pup in their costume.
If they don't like wearing costumes, you can have them wear a cute Halloween bandana and capture seasonal memories with your phone or camera.
You can even share the photos on social media, making your dog the star of Halloween!
RELATED: Dog Photography: A Guide for Beginners
9. Pumpkin Carving with Dogs
While you carve a pumpkin, your pup can enjoy the dog-safe version: plain cooked pumpkin or frozen pumpkin puree treats.
Pumpkin is full of fiber and great for digestion in moderation. It’s a fun way for your dog to join in the tradition without sharp tools or mess.
If you're a pro, you can dedicate a pumpkin to your pup and carve their face on it!
10. Scavenger Hunt with Treats
You need your dog calm and contained once the trick-or-treaters start ringing your doorbell. Tire out your puppy before that begins!
Hide healthy dog treats around your yard or living room and let your dog “hunt” like a Halloween treasure game.
Your pup will have a blast sniffing them out, and it’s great mental stimulation, too!
You can even add Halloween flair by hiding them inside toy pumpkins or small boxes for your dog to “uncover.”
11. Watch a Dog-Friendly Halloween Movie
Curl up with your pup and enjoy lighthearted spooky films while sharing some dog-safe snacks.
Dogs might not follow the story, but they’ll enjoy cuddling with you during a cozy movie night.
Make sure to stick to family-friendly Halloween films. Nothing with sudden loud noises or scary screams!
Add a comfy blanket, popcorn for you, and dog-safe snacks for your pup to make it special.
Add these Halloween movies with dogs to your watchlist!
12. Evening Bonfire or Cozy Fall Night
If you have a backyard fire pit, your dog will love the cozy atmosphere by your side.
Wrap up in blankets, sip cider, and let your dog relax in the cool autumn air.
Just keep them on a leash or in a fenced area to ensure they don’t wander near the fire!
Halloween Activities for Dogs FAQs
How do I keep my dog calm during Halloween?
Halloween can be scary, even for our mightiest and friendliest dogs.
The best way to keep a dog calm during Halloween is by offering them treats and comfort.
Watch for signs that your dog is stressed. Sure, they might not be able to speak human-ese, but their body language is powerful!
Do dogs like being put in costumes?
Not all dogs like being put in costumes. However, those who do won’t take them off.
Some Halloween dog costumes can feel restricting or too tight, especially if your dog has never put one on before.
A word of advice: before a party or photoshoot, have your dog try on a costume and get used to the fabric.
Is Halloween stressful for dogs?
Halloween can be stressful for dogs, but not all dogs react the same way.
If you expect many trick-or-treaters and your dog is wary of strangers, it's best to help them relax beforehand.
Should you walk your dog on Halloween?
Yes, you can walk your dog on Halloween, but it's best to do it earlier in the day before the crowds, costumes, and noise begin.
Evening walks can be overwhelming or even scary for some dogs.
If you go out later, keep your dog leashed, use reflective gear, and avoid busy trick-or-treat routes.
Halloween Activities for Dogs: Conclusion
Overall, Halloween is a fun time for owners and pets!
There are many Halloween activities for dogs that include games and delicious treats your dog can enjoy that are themed in an exciting way.
Even if you can’t do everything on this list, even taking your dog out on Halloween for a stroll with others is already a fun idea.
We hope you have an exciting time with your pooch at one (or two) of these Halloween activities for dogs!
