Halloween can be tons of fun for families with pets, but it can also be scary and potentially dangerous, too! Check out our tips below to ensure your pet stays safe, healthy, and happy during spooky season.
Keep candy far away from pets. Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, as can the artificial sweetener xylitol (found in candy and even some peanut butters, so read labels carefully). Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed. If you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian.
Don’t be scared, just be prepared!
Make sure you have the numbers for emergency veterinary care, as well as urgent care, close at hand in case your pet needs medical attention. Check out our handy veterinary care guide to learn the difference between emergency and urgent care!
Provide a safe space. Unless your pet absolutely loves meeting new people and being the life of the party, it may be best to keep your pet in a closed room, away from the front door of the house. This ensures your pet will not dash out the door when trick-or-treaters arrive, and it can also reduce the stress of having so many strangers ringing the doorbell, knocking, and stopping by. Keep in mind that even if your pet is incredibly social with people, they may act differently around people dressed in unfamiliar costumes or wearing masks.
What about costumes? We all love them, but not all pets love wearing costumes. If you’re confident that your pet enjoys it, be aware of potential risks. They should not restrict your pet’s movement or hearing, or impede their ability to see, breathe, or bark. Be careful of small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that your pet could choke on or ingest. Have fun but be humane—only keep the costume on for brief periods of supervised time and never force your pet if their body language or behavior are clearly telling you that they are not enjoying themselves.
Beware of Halloween décor!
- Candles: Pets can easily knock over or harm themselves on burning candles, so keep all open flames, including jack o’lanterns, far out of reach.
- Fake cobwebs: These can cause curious pets to get tangled up, and the tiny plastic spiders can easily be swallowed if mistaken for a toy.
- Harvest bounty: Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce gastrointestinal issues or blockages if ingested.
- Lights, inflatables, or animated décor: So many fun options that may require you to have electrical cords in unusual places! Keep wires and cords out of reach of your pets—if chewed, your pet could injure their mouth or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat is wearing proper identification. In case your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar with tags and a microchip increase the chances that they will be returned to you.
Keep cats in. Cats should be kept inside all night long. The increased traffic outside may be overwhelming for them, causing them to hide or flee.
