Halloween can be a fun night for families, but some of the things that make the holiday exciting for people can be stressful or potentially dangerous for pets. Frequent visitors, costumes, unfamiliar noises, candy, and decorations can all introduce new risks for dogs and cats.
Preparing ahead can help you create a safer environment and make Halloween more comfortable for your pet.
1. Keep Halloween Candy Away From Pets
Candy bowls and trick-or-treat bags can be tempting for curious pets, but several common Halloween treats can be harmful if eaten.
Keep an eye out for:
- Chocolate: Chocolate can be toxic to pets, particularly dogs, and may cause serious health problems depending on the type and amount consumed.
- Xylitol: This artificial sweetener is sometimes found in sugar-free candy and gum and can be extremely dangerous for pets.
- Raisins: Raisins can cause serious kidney problems in dogs.
- Candy wrappers: Foil, plastic, and other wrappers can become lodged in the digestive tract if swallowed.
Keep Halloween treats and discarded wrappers somewhere pets cannot reach. If you think your pet has eaten something potentially harmful, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital promptly.
2. Prevent Accidental Escapes
A front door that repeatedly opens for trick-or-treaters can give pets an opportunity to slip outside. Unfamiliar costumes, crowds, and noises may also frighten a pet once they’re outdoors.
Consider keeping your pet in a secure area away from frequently opened doors. A closed room, crate, or pet gate can provide an additional barrier while visitors are arriving.
This is also a good time to make sure your pet’s identification is current. Check their ID tag and make sure their microchip registration includes your current contact information. Up-to-date identification can make it easier to reunite with your pet if they get lost.
3. Help Reduce Halloween Anxiety
Halloween introduces sights, sounds, and smells that pets don’t encounter every day. Costumes, crowds, decorations, doorbells, and repeated knocking can be especially stressful for pets who are sensitive to noise or unfamiliar people.
Signs of anxiety may include pacing, panting, trembling, hiding, barking, vocalizing, or trying to escape.
If your pet tends to become anxious, create a quiet retreat away from the activity. Familiar bedding and favorite toys can help make the space more comfortable, while calming music or white noise may help reduce outside sounds.
If you expect your pet to experience significant anxiety, talk with your veterinarian before Halloween. Your veterinary team can discuss strategies and determine whether an anxiety aid or medication may be appropriate for your pet.
4. Choose Costumes Carefully
Not every pet enjoys dressing up. If your dog or cat isn’t comfortable wearing clothing, it’s best to skip the costume rather than create unnecessary stress.
For pets who are comfortable dressing up, choose a costume that:
- Allows them to move normally
- Does not interfere with breathing or vision
- Uses comfortable materials that won’t irritate their skin
- Does not have small or loose pieces that could be chewed or swallowed
Always supervise a pet while they’re wearing a costume and remove it if they show signs of discomfort or distress.
5. Be Mindful of Halloween Decorations
Halloween decorations can be interesting to curious pets, but some can create safety hazards.
Jack-o’-lanterns with lit candles can be knocked over and create a fire risk. Hanging decorations, artificial cobwebs, string lights, and small accessories may become choking, strangulation, or intestinal obstruction hazards if pets play with or swallow them.
Electrical cords should also be kept away from pets who may chew them. Glow sticks should remain out of reach as well. While the liquid inside isn’t considered toxic, chewing a glow stick can cause mouth irritation, drooling, or vomiting, and pieces of plastic can cause additional problems if swallowed.
When decorating, consider whether your pet can reach, chew, or become tangled in each item.
Prepare Before Halloween Arrives
A safer Halloween starts with a little planning. Keep candy and decorations out of reach, secure doors and exits, and give your pet somewhere quiet to retreat if the evening becomes overwhelming.
If you already know your pet struggles with visitors, loud noises, or changes in routine, don’t wait until Halloween night to make a plan. Your veterinary team can help you determine the best way to manage your pet’s anxiety and keep them comfortable during the holiday.
Concerned about how your pet will handle Halloween? Schedule an appointment with our veterinary team before the holiday to discuss their anxiety, behavior, and individual needs.