Halloween is my favorite commercial holiday. You don’t see me throwing a fit when Walgreens stocks up on orange-and-black treats in early September; it just gets me excited for the awesome weather that accompanies the -ber months here in San Francisco. And even though much fun has been made about pumpkin-flavored everything (indeed, even Zukes sent me pumpkin dog treats the other day), I’m a sucker for all of it.
On most years, my team at Dogster HQ can count on me to put up the vintage Halloween banner I bought on Etsy some Halloweens back, and fill a plastic jack-o-lantern with KitKat bars. But it hasn’t exactly been a typical year from where I’m sitting, much to the relief of every waistline with proximity to my desk.
Anyway, to help get me in the spirit, I’ve rounded up my favorite Halloween-centric items for pups and their people. And I reached out to some of my favorite retailers to see if they would give Dogster readers a special discount on their Halloween-themed wares.
1. Poopbuddy’s October Delivery
When people ask me what my go-to gift is for people with new pups, I often recommend one of several dog gift subscriptions out there. Lately, my favorite has been PoopBuddy, a monthly poop bag subscription, which delivers seriously cute baggies and poop-related accessories to your door. They kill it with the seasonal themes, and this month was spot-on with poop bags in Halloween colors. And this month’s accessory, a poop bag holder with a flashlight attachment, is both smart and completely in the trick-or-treating spirit.
Exclusive Discount: PoopBuddy subscriptions start at $8 a month, but with the coupon code DOGSTER (in all caps), you can get the first month for $1 (including shipping and handling). Definitely get in on the October haul if you can!
2. West Paw Design’s Halloween Dog Toys
It’s long been known that West Paw is one of my favorite small brands. My own dog, Mr. Moxie, has their Eco Drop bed from three years back, and it’s still his favorite thing in the world. West Paw also makes seriously sturdy dog toys, and the ones they release around Halloween are ridiculously adorable. Pictured above is another one of Moxie’s loves, their Halloween edition of classic West Paw toy, Boogie. It contains two squeakers and is tough enough for many a game of tug.
Discount Alert: According to the West Paw newsletter, you can get 10% off sitewide through Oct. 30 with the code SPOOKY10.
3. P.L.A.Y. SF’s Pumpkin Toy and Garden Set
P.L.A.Y. is another longtime Dogster favorite. Last year, they sent Mox their garden set, and most of it is intact today by some miracle (like West Paw, these guys churn out some sturdy toys and beds). Their toys contain the all-important squeaker, alongside eco-friendly PlanetFill filler, which is spun from recycled plastic bottles.
Exclusive Discount: Through November 1, get 10% off the P.L.A.Y. pumpkin plush toy with the code DOGSTERPUMPKIN, and 10% off the garden fresh plush toy set with DOGSTERGARDEN.
4. The All-Weather Jacket from Wildebeest
No coupon code for this one, alas, but how smart would your dog look in the All-Weather Jacket from Wildebeest? This one, in black, orange, and gray, would be my pick for pet parents who aren’t into putting their pet in costumes but still want to hint at Halloween. These run from XS to XL and $40-$48.
About the Author: Janine is your typical annoying Aries overachiever with nine human siblings and a soft spot for sighthounds. She is a tattoo collector, tea drinker, and unabashedly into marshmallows and cheesy musicals. Janine believes responsible breeders exist — her dog is from one. She runs the show as editor-in-chief of Dogster and Catster.
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