We think you should have a Howl-O-Ween Party. Here’s our tips for throwing one that’s absolutely spooktacular.

Having a Halloween party for your neighbors or friends and their pets is a great (and obviously adorable) way to get in the spooky spirit. There’s a bit of organization involved, so we recommend getting to party planning ASAP! 

We’ve put together our best tips for throwing a bash that is absolutely spooktacular. 👇  

First thing’s first: safety.

Halloween can be overwhelming– unfamiliar noises and busy streets of trick-or-treaters might cause anxiety in some pets. Make sure all furry friends feel safe and comfortable, and be mindful that any decorations that aren’t pet-friendly are kept out of their reach.

Channel your creativity with fun invitations.

Sure, you could just send out a text – but what’s more fun than dressing up with your pet and having a DIY photoshoot? Snap some cute pics and pop them into an invite with all the details and send them over to your pals. When making your invite list, be sure to include friends who have pets that are social and comfortable in groups. If your squad has a few pets that are a bit nervous, make sure to chat with their humans before the party!

Find the right location.

If you’ve got plenty of dogs on the invite list, it’s great to host your party at a spot with a fenced-in yard so the pups can play outside. If that might be a challenge depending on where you live, consider your local dog park!

Decorate with some hauntingly good décor.

Half the fun of hosting a Halloween party is finding the perfect decorations to turn the venue into your own haunted mansion. Find some decorations that can hang from the ceiling for a safe (and spooky!) choice, avoid lit candles, and keep any breakables out of reach. We love the idea of creating your own Halloween-themed “photobooth” to get some photos for the ‘gram!

Create the perfect menu.

You’ll find a host of Halloween-themed eats for humans in your local supermarket or through Pinterest recipes, but the best part of a Howl-O-Ween party is getting some goodies for the attendees who might be a bit on the… furrier side. Some pet shops have their own pet-bakery section where you can find some on-theme treats, or you can make your own! Here are some great pumpkin recipes for dogs.

Plan some games.

We love a good costume contest! Encourage all your guests (including the pets!) to come in costume and give out prizes for the best dressed. Bobbing for tennis balls is a fun game for dogs, and pumpkin decorating is always a great idea!

Ready to plan the perfect party but don’t have your pet’s costume yet? We’ve got you sorted. Shop our Halloween costumes for dogs here and our Halloween costumes for cats here. Snap some pics and tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured!