Halloween is almost here, and while the ghosts and goblins are getting ready to roam, our four-legged friends are wagging and purring with curiosity! October 31st isn’t just for humans; it can be a spook-tacular time for pets, too. Whether you have a dog who loves dressing up and joining the fun or a cat who prefers cozying up by the window to watch the trick-or-treaters go by, there are plenty of ways to safely celebrate Halloween together.

Let’s explore some fun, festive, and safe Halloween treats and activities for your dogs and cats, including a few happening right here in the Denver area!

Spooky (But Safe!) Treats for Dogs and Cats 🍪

Halloween usually means candy overload, but since chocolate, xylitol, and artificial sweeteners are all toxic to pets, your furry friend will need their own menu of safe snacks. Luckily, there are tons of fun and healthy Halloween-themed treats you can whip up or pick up locally!

1. Homemade Pumpkin Pup Treats

Pumpkin is a fall favorite and happens to be great for dogs! Mix together:

  • 1 cup pure pumpkin purée (not pie filling!)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
  • A splash of water if the dough feels too thick

Roll the dough out, cut into fun Halloween shapes (like bats or bones), and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Not only will your kitchen smell amazing, but your pup will think you’re the best treat chef ever.

2. Frozen “Boo” Bites

If your dog tends to overheat even in fall weather, this one’s a winner. Mix a spoonful of peanut butter (xylitol-free, of course) with plain yogurt and freeze in silicone Halloween-themed molds. Pop them out when solid for a ghostly-good refreshment.

3. Catnip Pumpkin Balls

Your kitty deserves a treat too! Combine oat flour, a spoonful of canned pumpkin, and a pinch of catnip. Roll into tiny balls and chill in the fridge. These are healthy, safe, and totally feline-approved.

4. Denver’s Local Pet Treat Stops

Prefer to skip the kitchen? Denver has plenty of local pet bakeries offering Halloween goodies. Check out:

  • Dingo’s Natural Pet Food, Self-Wash, & Grooming – They carry wholesome, natural treats that’ll have tails wagging! You can also stop by their Trunk or Treat Fall Festival, a pet-friendly Halloween event with fun activities and treats for furry guests.
  • Three Dog Bakery (Cherry Creek) – Famous for hand-crafted canine cookies and festive “pupcakes.”

Halloween Activities for Dogs 👻

Halloween is a great excuse to let your pup show off their personality, and Denver offers lots of ways to make it special.

1. Dress-Up and Strut Your Stuff

Denver loves its dogs, and that includes dog-friendly costume contests and parades. While not every pup loves costumes (check out our recent post, Do Pets Like Being Dressed Up for Halloween?), some absolutely adore the attention!

Local Ideas:

  • Dingo’s Trunk or Treat Fall Festival – A community favorite where dogs and families can dress up, collect goodies, and make friends. It’s a safe, fun way to enjoy Halloween with your pet and meet other animal lovers in the Denver area.
  • Highlands Halloween Pawrade – Many Denver neighborhoods host small community dog parades—perfect for pups who love to strut in style.

And of course, don’t miss our very own annual event:

🎃🐾 Doggie Dude Ranch’s Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest! 🐾🎃
Calling all spooky pups and boo-tiful doggos! Every October, we invite you to show off your pet’s creativity in our annual Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest at Doggie Dude Ranch. Here’s how to paw-ticipate:

  • 📅 Submit your dog’s costume photo to info@dogcatranch.com between October 1st and 20th.
  • 🕐 Voting begins October 21st when all entries are posted to our Facebook page.
  • ❤️ The dog with the most “likes” by October 31st wins!
  • 🏆 The prize? A $300 store credit to use toward boarding, daycare, grooming, or any of our services.

So grab those costumes and let the pup-arazzi moments begin! It’s always a paws-itively spooktacular way to celebrate Halloween, connect with other pet lovers, and maybe even win some amazing prizes.

Pro tip: Keep costumes lightweight and make sure your dog can move, breathe, and see clearly. Skip anything with tight elastics, dangling pieces, or masks that could block vision.

2. Host a Howl-O-Ween Playdate

If your dog loves socializing, why not throw a Halloween-themed dog party? Invite your dog’s best pals and include games like:

  • Pumpkin fetch: Use a lightweight rubber pumpkin toy.
  • Bobbing for treats: Fill a shallow bucket with water and toss in some floating treats or toys.
  • Best Trick for a Treat: A fun way to encourage positive behavior while everyone enjoys the festivities.

At Doggie Dude Ranch, group playtime is one of our specialties: our guests love running, swimming, and socializing in a safe, supervised environment. So if your dog’s Halloween schedule is full, they can still enjoy playtime while boarding with us!

3. Visit the Pumpkin Patch (Dog-Friendly Ones!)

Several pumpkin patches around Denver welcome dogs on leashes. It’s a fun way to enjoy crisp fall weather and get those adorable Instagram-worthy photos. Try:

  • Anderson Farms in Erie (dog-friendly on leash)
  • Cottonwood Farm in Lafayette (welcomes polite pups)

Don’t forget to bring a water bowl and poop bags—and maybe even a festive bandana for your pup’s photo op!

Halloween Fun for Cats 🧙‍♀️

Cats might not be as enthusiastic about costume parades, but they can still enjoy the spooky season in their own cozy way.

1. Create a Halloween Hideout

Cats love dark, enclosed spaces—so Halloween is the perfect time to make them a little “haunted house.” Use a cardboard box, drape a blanket over it, and toss in a few catnip toys or treats. Bonus points if you decorate it with paper bats or pumpkins (just keep it cat-safe).

2. DIY Cat Treats

Baking for cats is simple—try this:

  • Mix canned tuna, egg, and oat flour into a dough.
  • Roll into tiny balls and bake at 325°F for 10–12 minutes.
  • Store in the fridge and serve when your cat’s ready for a spooky snack.

3. Interactive Playtime

Cats love to stalk and pounce, and Halloween is all about chasing “ghosts” (aka wand toys and crinkly paper). Try glow-in-the-dark toys or feather teasers for a festive twist. Playtime is especially good for indoor cats—it helps burn energy and keeps anxiety at bay when there’s extra noise or commotion outside.

Halloween Safety Tips for All Pets 🐾

Halloween is a blast, but it can also be a little overwhelming for pets. Keep these safety reminders in mind:

  • Keep candy out of reach. Chocolate and sugar-free sweets can be toxic to pets.
  • Watch open doors. With trick-or-treaters coming and going, make sure pets are secure inside or have ID tags and microchips updated.
  • Create a calm space. If your pet gets anxious with noise or costumes, set them up in a quiet room with their favorite blanket, toys, and soft music.
  • Glow, don’t go dark. If walking your dog after sunset, use reflective gear or light-up collars to stay visible.

At Doggie Dude Ranch and the O’Cat Corral, we understand how much you love your furry family members. That’s why our facilities are designed to keep pets safe, comfortable, and entertained, whether it’s Halloween, a holiday getaway, or any time of year.

Celebrate Halloween with Your Pets Safely and Joyfully 🎃

Whether you’re baking spooky snacks, visiting a local pumpkin patch, or dressing up for Dingo’s Trunk or Treat Fall Festival, there are endless ways to celebrate Halloween with your dog or cat. What matters most is making sure they’re comfortable, safe, and loved every step of the way.

If Halloween plans have you heading out of town or if your pet prefers a peaceful getaway from all the ghosts and ghouls, consider boarding them at Doggie Dude Ranch and the O’Cat Corral. Our climate-controlled suites, spacious play yards, and caring staff make every stay feel like home (with extra treats, of course).

👻 Happy Howl-O-Ween from all of us at Doggie Dude Ranch and the O’Cat Corral!