For those of you who are still here, leash in hand, listen up: sure, there is nothing cuter than a lovable pup dressed up as a pirate, or cats with miscellaneous objects placed on their heads for the sake of LOLZ and entertainment, but there are rules even to randomness. Namely, rules meant to keep both you and your four-legged friends safe, healthy and happy.
While a few years ago I would not have considered taking any canines with me to a ghoulish Halloween party, since adopting the cutest bulldog on the planet (forgive me for my brutal and biased honesty, Taurus and Fondue), I can hardly think of going anywhere without Gus, least of all anything as fun as a costume party.

If you are considering letting your pet tag along with you on your costumed activities, you should do your best to make sure your pet is safe and comfortable throughout the evening. If your dog barely allows you to casually slip a collar on him, they may not be too thrilled about having their vision clouded by a sequin-adorned mask or a pirate hat. While Gus may look tough, I know there are certain safety guidelines to stick to, as should you – which is why we decided to bring you our top 5 Halloween safety tips for pets:

1. Don’t leave your costumed pet unattended: Pet costumes and accessories can snag or get stuck on something, leaving your pet panicked and in danger. Keep in mind that your pet is probably not as accustomed to being clothed as you are, and that they may try to wiggle out or chew their way out of their costumes, which can lead to choking or suffocation. Keep your canine pal near you at all times when donning a costume, in order to ensure a safe and happy Halloween.

2. Comfort before costumes: While an extravagant costume may win you a lot of attention while walking your dog, be sure that whatever costume you choose does not limit your pet’s ability to see, move freely, breathe, or drink water as needed. Be sure to avoid any flammable materials that may be hazardous in case of fire or an emergency. Ditch any costumes or accessories that may put pressure on your pet’s delicate parts, constrain their movement or make breathing difficult – it’s just not worth it, no matter how cute the pics you’ll be snapping.

3. Keep the candy out of reach: While you may have a sweet tooth and your dentist to take care of any collateral damages as a result of Halloween, remember that your dog was not really intended to live on a diet of candy corn and chocolate bars. Chocolate contains an alkaloid called theobromine, which causes an adverse reaction in dogs, and can be fatal if consumed in even relatively small amounts.

4. Identification is key: with the constant flow of party-goers and Trick-or-Treaters, your dog may become stressed and try to bolt, or may be tempted to run away when the door is left open. Be sure to keep an eye on your pet at all times, particularly if they are not used to such commotion, and be sure to attach proper identification to their collar in case they do make a run for it. Remember that unknown visitors may disturb your dog’s sense of comfort and lead him outside – if your dog is not accustomed to people dropping by, perhaps it’s best to put them in a part of the house where they will remain undisturbed for the evening.

5. Take out the trash and extinguish fires: Curious as they are, dogs will usually hurry to explore, sniff and even try and eat any leftovers from the holiday festivities. Be sure to properly store away or dispose of any streamers, hazardous decoration, electrical lighting wires, candy wrappers and alcohol containers, as none of these items are good news for an over-excited dog. Remember to put any lit candles out of reach, especially if your dog has a tail which can knock these over and accidentally start a fire in your home.

Happy Halloween from the 5min Team!

My little one is as fuzzy as a baby polar bear, so caring for his hair is a very important task. And because I believe that when choosing you should always consider the environment and health, choosing your pet’s shampoo should not only go in the scent and price, but also in the ingredients.

This is what Do Your Part teaches us, along with many other green tips: choosing right will make a difference. And who wouldn’t want to make a difference when it comes to your pup?

I would, and that’s why I also think that before choosing the shampoo, you should also choose your pet wisely, and remember that many pets are waiting for you to make a difference in their lives.

So do your part!

Then we began to wonder: how much do dogs sense? Are they able to detect hormonal and body changes? How do they react? Is there a way to make this process simple?

The Pregnancy Show gave us the answer: dogs do know that you’re pregnant, even before you do. And how to deal with it will depend on your pet. Some pets will want to protect you and your little one, but others, like Mr. V, will require some extra attention and special care.

Having this in mind, you’ll be able to deal with your pet in an better way and help him get used to the idea that he won’t be the only baby anymore.

Since the day that I learned the truth about some commercial dog breeders I stopped being a snob regarding my pet’s pedigree and cared only about his well-being. All you want is your pet is to live long and healthy. After all, he’s a member of your family (in some cases, like mine, the most important member).

That’s what Felicity Huffman tells  Petside:  far from a desperate housewife, she is an active supporter of animal rights and encourages pet adoption.

And she gives some important tips as well: pets have their own personality, so you should choose -or be chosen- by the one who will fit into your lifestyle and your family’s. So remember: this is  not about being an octo-mom and filling your house with new members, it’s  about connecting pets with loving homes.

What are you waiting for?  Go adopt!

Canofest was supposed to be not only a place for dogs to show off and brag about their pedigree, but an instance for owners to learn about the genetic characteristics of their dogs, to check out the fashion trends and hairstyles of other dogs, and an opportunity to exchange numbers that may lead to litters of new puppies. Each ticket was part of a dog-lottery, whose main prize was 100 Homemade Biscuits, the greatest possible treat for your dog.

When I got to that point in my presentation, Mr. Pirozzi couldn’t control his anger anymore, and with a cold and threatening tone, he asked, “Home-made-biscuits? Lottery?”

I just smiled and told him that this was for charity. That all the money collected in the lottery was going to be donated to street dogs and strays,”our not-so-privileged friends“.

“And the home-made biscuits?” he asked again. “What’s so cultural about them?”

“Health is culture,” I replied with a Holly Golightly attitude. “Don’t you think that going greener with your dog is one of the most beautiful gifts you can give to society?”

Mr. Pirozzi didn’t say a word. I guess he was a cat person after all.

This is why websites like Petside.com bring a smile to my face.

Their helpful website along with the videos featured here on 5min provide valuable information to pet owners and animal lovers alike.

Simple tips like how to clean your dog’s ears or how to give your dog medicine can make your days as a pup owner simpler and much more enjoyable, knowing that you’re providing your special pet pal with all the TLC in the world.

So why not take some tips from Petside and go down to your local shelter? You might just save a life and walk away with an adorable new addition to your family.