Tricks AND Treats: Fun Pet Enrichment Ideas for Halloween

Halloween isn’t just for costumes and candy. In pet care, it’s the perfect time to bring a little spooktacular fun to your business! Whether you run a dog daycare, grooming salon, or boarding facility, this season offers endless ways to combine festivities and learning for your four-legged guests.

With a mix of “tricks” that build skills and confidence, and “treats” that keep tails wagging, you can turn the season into an unforgettable experience for pets and their parents. From pumpkin-flavored snacks to themed training games and photo ops, these Halloween enrichment ideas will keep your clients smiling and your business glowing, all while supporting canine enrichment and good behavior.

Why Halloween Enrichment Matters

Enrichment isn’t just play, it’s an essential part of a pet’s physical and mental wellbeing. Dogs thrive on novelty and stimulation, and holidays can provide a natural opportunity to offer new experiences in a safe, structured way.

Some benefits of themed enrichment include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety during busy holiday weeks
• Improved behavior through focused training and engagement
• Increased customer satisfaction, as owners see their pets having fun
• New revenue opportunities through special events, treats, and photo ops

By offering creative Halloween activities, your business shows it cares about more than just pet care, it’s about community, joy, and memorable experiences.

Treats: Seasonal Snack Ideas

Let’s start with the sweet side of Halloween: the treats! These dog-safe recipes are easy to make, photograph beautifully, and can even be sold as add-ons at your facility.

1. Frozen Pumpkin Pops

Combine pumpkin purée, plain yogurt, and peanut butter in a blender. Pour into silicone molds or ice cube trays and freeze overnight. Add cinnamon or turmeric for an anti-inflammatory boost!

2. Apple Monster Mouths

Slice apples into wedges, spread peanut butter between two slices, and stick a few carrot “teeth” inside. These are great for photo ops and safe to share in small quantities.

3. Mummy Biscuits

Wrap strips of whole wheat dough around a basic dog biscuit before baking to look like bandages. Add dog-safe “eyes” using carob or blueberries.

Bonus Idea: DIY Dog Treat Station

Set up a small “make-your-own-treat” booth where owners can assemble frozen snacks or decorate biscuits. Use this as a client engagement activity and promote it through your Gingr customer portal and email reminders.

Tricks: Training and Puzzle Activities

Halloween is the perfect excuse to work on obedience and fun tricks. Integrating short training sessions or themed challenges helps dogs stay mentally sharp and focused.

1. Trick Training Challenge

Host a “Best Trick” contest at your daycare or event. Encourage pet parents to submit videos or attend in person.
Some fun Halloween-themed commands include:

• “Zombie crawl” → crawl forward on command
• “Play dead” → the classic “Ghost mode”
• “Spin” → twirl in a “Witch’s twirl”

Reward each dog with a themed biscuit or a small prize, and share photos on social media to boost engagement.

2. Puzzle Toy Party

Use enrichment toys like KONGs or snuffle mats, filled with the frozen pumpkin mix. Offer a “Pumpkin Hunt” challenge where dogs have to sniff out hidden treats around the room.

3. Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt

Turn your facility into a haunted hunt! Place treats in safe spots and let dogs use their noses to “trick-or-treat.” This activity is ideal for boarding guests or daycares with playgroups.

Costume Contests and Photo Ops

What’s Halloween without a little dress-up? A themed costume contest or mini photo booth is an excellent way to engage your community.

Ideas to try:

• Host a “Best Costume” competition with prizes for categories like Funniest, Spookiest, and Best Owner-Pet Duo.
• Create a Halloween-themed photo backdrop—pumpkins, hay bales, spiderwebs, or a “Haunted Kennel” scene.
• Use photos for your social media or Gingr gallery to highlight happy, festive customers.

Pro tip: Use Gingr’s Digital Forms and Waivers to make sign-ups for contests or special events easy and paper-free.

Keep It Safe and Pet-Friendly

While the season is full of excitement, it’s important to keep Halloween celebrations safe for both pets and staff.

Safety reminders:

• Avoid ingredients like chocolate, raisins, grapes, or xylitol.
• Supervise group play, especially with costumes or props.
• Offer quiet, decorated areas for shy or anxious dogs.
• Skip flashing lights or loud sound effects that could scare pets.

Pro tip: Use the Gingr Digital Whiteboard to keep staff on track with Halloween event schedules, enrichment times, and feeding instructions.

Marketing Ideas for Your Halloween Enrichment Event

To make the most of the spooky season:

• Announce your event early using automated emails and SMS reminders.
• Offer limited-time add-ons like “Pumpkin Spice Spa Packages” or “Howl-o-ween Play Passes.”
• Share photos and videos on social media with hashtags like #Howloween or #TricksAndTreats.

Your clients will love seeing their pets enjoy festive activities, and it’s a great opportunity to show off your business’s creativity and care. Take this Rossome example from Gingr user The Watering Bowl:

Make This Halloween a Treat for All

This Halloween, your pet-care business can turn ordinary days into extraordinary experiences. With a few themed activities, creative treats, and fun training games, you can keep pets happy, owners impressed, and your staff inspired.

Use Gingr’s tools to plan events, manage bookings, and track enrichment sessions, making your Halloween celebrations both seamless and successful. Book your demo today.

🎃 Happy Howl-o-ween from Gingr!