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Halloween is one of the most popular holidays for people to dress up, decorate, and party. So why not extend the festivities to your furry friends as well? Hosting a Halloween pet party is a great way to celebrate the spooky season with your pets and other animal lovers in your life. Here are some tips and fun ideas to throw a howling good time.
Plan the Guest List
Of course, the guest stars of your Halloween pet party will be pets! Make a list of friends, family members, and neighbors who have dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, reptiles, or other animal companions. Get an approximate headcount for pets and humans who will be attending so you know how much food and supplies you’ll need. Consider making it a costume party and encouraging people to dress up with their pets.
Deck Out Your Home in Halloween Decor
Part of the fun of any Halloween party is the decorations and ambiance. Give your home a delightfully spooky makeover for your pet guests. Carve jack-o’-lanterns, put up spider webs and skeletons, scatter plastic pumpkins around, and lay out orange and black tablecloths. Make it festive but ensure any loose decorations are safely out of reach of curious paws and mouths.
Prepare Fun Activities
Plan some activities and entertainment to keep the animals busy having fun. Set up a pet costume contest and vote on prizes for categories like scariest, most creative, funniest, best matching owner and pet costumes. Also design a small obstacle course with tunnels to run through, low hurdles to jump over, pools to splash around if the weather allows, and treats hidden throughout. You can also play Halloween music and animal sounds to set the mood.
Provide Pet-Friendly Treats and Refreshments
Of course, you’ll want to serve Halloween nibbles and beverages suited for animal guests. Offer pet-safe pumpkin flavored cookies or cupcakes for dogs. Make “witch’s brew” by mixing chicken or beef broth with pumpkin puree for cats and dogs to lap up. Bake peanut butter or carob bones for dogs to gnaw on. Have pet parents bring their animal’s favorite foods and drinks as well. Provide water bowls for keeping pets hydrated.
Give Furry Favor Bags
Send all your guests home with festive take-home favors to cap off your Halloween pet celebration. Fill little treat bags or pet food containers with wholesome goodies like dog biscuits shaped like bats, bones, or pumpkins. Toss in fun toys like mini tennis ball spiders, crinkly Halloween critters, or flying witch cat toys. You can also gift pet bandanas, collars with holiday themes, and leashes to take home. Customize with your pet’s name for an extra special touch.
Take Lots of Photos
Part of the magic of any good party is capturing all the fun in photos to look back on and share on social media or pet blogs. Take candid shots of your furry guests socializing, playing games, showing off costumes, and just being their cute selves. Stage some photos as well like posing pets alongside Halloween props. Be sure to take a group shot of all the pets and owners too.
Follow Safety Precautions
While organizing festivities for your pets, be sure to keep safety first too. Supervise all interactions between unfamiliar animals to prevent any aggressive behavior or fighting. Keep shy or anxious pets in a quiet space they can retreat to if overwhelmed. Restrict access of very small pets around large dogs or rambunctious animals. Provide plenty of food, water, and litter boxes spread throughout to accommodate all your guests.
Clean Up Properly After the Party
Once the Halloween fun with your fur babies winds down, diligently clean up. Look over areas pets had access to and discard any leftovers, spilled food or drinks, etc. Use an enzymatic pet odor neutralizer spray on any urine or fecal accidents. Do a sweep for stray candies or inedible objects an animal may have gotten into and promptly dispose of them. Wash all pet dishes thoroughly. Removing decorations and stowing them away until next Halloween is also wise to prevent continuing temptation for pets.
Hosting a Halloween party for pets and owners to enjoy together is sure to be a howling success! With festive décor, costumes, activities, treats, and favors plus safe supervision, you’re ready to show your furry friends a frightfully fabulous time. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the fun to make your bash the talk of the town and be remembered till next year’s ghoulish gathering!
