Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Halloween can be a dangerous holiday for pets — here’s how to keep them safe

Andria Kennedy
By

It’s Halloween! The house looks suitably haunted, everyone’s running around in their costume, and the candy bowl’s waiting at the front door. You’ve checked everything off your list. Until you notice your dog sniffing around the candy bowl and your cat swatting a candle on the table. Everyone loves this autumn holiday, but it’s also important to keep these Halloween safety tips for pets in the back of your mind.

Halloween tricks NOT treats

black-chocolate-labrador-pumpkin-safety-tips-halloween
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You know you need to check through your children’s candy bags. But what about securing Halloween treats out of the reach of cats and dogs? While safe for kids’ tummies (in moderation), the following familiar Halloween treats pose hazards to your pets:

  • Chocolate (the darker, the worse it gets)
  • Sugar-free treats (they contain Xylitol)
  • Candy wrappers
Recommended Videos

Keep all of the candy out of the reach of curious noses and paws. Make sure you have a quick chat with your kiddos about the importance of NOT sharing their Halloween haul with their four-legged friends, too.

If you suspect a pet’s ingested some Halloween candy, get in touch with the ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435). Providing the type of treat, amount, and the weight of your pet will allow them to determine whether you need to seek further veterinary care.

Haunted houses

Half the fun of Halloween is setting up all of your favorite decorations. Some of that decor can present concerns for your pets, though. Even items rated as non-toxic have the potential to lead to a miserable evening for your cat or dog. In the interest of keeping everyone happy and safe, run a critical eye over your decorations before you set them out.

  • Candles: Flickering flames are too much for some cats to resist. If they’re crucial to your theme, try to find battery-operated alternatives.
  • Corncobs: Dried corncobs scream “fall.” When ingested, though, they scream “foreign body.” Keep them out of reach.
  • Fake spiders: Your cat is your champion at pest control. They don’t know those spiders are fake, and they end up entangled in the artificial web.
  • Glowsticks: The liquid inside of a glowstick isn’t toxic, but it tastes terrible! You don’t want your poor cat or dog drooling in the corner.
  • Pumpkin: Pumpkin doesn’t bother cats or dogs. You might even add it to their food now and then. But a carved pumpkin that’s been sitting on the porch for a while? It’s starting to mold You don’t want anyone chewing on that.

Be smart about your decoration choices and placement. Keep items out of the reach of your pets. Or, better yet, swap out your usual decor for pet-friendly options. There are several reasons why cats love cardboard boxes so much, which is why it’d be a good idea to create a haunted house out of it for your cat to enjoy. Use paper to make your spiderwebs. They may not look the same, but it’ll ensure your pet’s safety.

Ghouls and goblins

Check all Halloween decorations for pet safety
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Your pets know all of the neighborhood kids. Your dog visits with everyone on their regular walks. Your cat sees the children walking to and from school each day. Except on Halloween. Halloween night, the kids look and smell different. They’re wearing costumes and makeup. That’s frightening for your pets.

Set up a separate room for your pets where they’ll feel safe. You don’t want your feline and canine companions to get stressed. Also consider the dog crate’s location at home, and make sure it is positioned in a stress-free, comforting environment. Your dog may feel safest in it, or a pen they know belongs to them. It’s a relaxing retreat.

You may want to use Feliway for your cats. The natural pheromones promote relaxation.

If your dog gets nervous with people coming to the door, Premium Care Calming Treats for Dogs can help ease that anxiety.

Rather than heightening your pets’ panic with knocking and ringing doorbells, consider sitting outside to hand out your Halloween treats. Give your pets their favorite toys, lower the lights in their room, and set up soothing music inside. You’ll ease the stress over those scary monsters approaching the door.

“Identification, please”

It’s tempting to take your dog trick-or-treating. However, Halloween safety tip for pets #4 is to keep your pets (all of your pets) safe and sound inside. Halloween’s a rough time for pets. There’s a lot of activity going on with children running around and yelling. It’s too much stimulation for most pets, and that safe nest inside is the best location. You don’t want your dog to accidentally pull loose on their leash and dive into the melee.

Make sure your pets have their current identification on their collar or harness. If they have microchips, double check that you’ve updated your information. Halloween is one of those nights when animals panic and bolt through the door. That current ID helps reassure they return home to you, safe and sound.

Happy, safe Halloween!

Halloween safety tips for pets help ensure EVERYONE has a wonderful holiday. Whether your dog and cat join in with costumes or watch a movie in the back room, you want everyone as comfortable as possible. So run a quick eye over your preparations to check for anything you might have overlooked.

Stay safe out there!

Meanwhile, if you are considering getting dog shoes for winter, read on further to learn everything you need to know about it – and whether it is necessary in the first place.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Andria Kennedy
Andria Kennedy
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andria's work has appeared in BoneandYarn.com and the Bidwell Hollow Literary Newsletter. When she's not writing about pets…
3 effective tips to make puppy sleep training less of a nightmare
Help your puppy get to sleep with this guide
A black and white French bulldog puppy sleeps in the arms of a person wearing a sweater

Bringing home a new puppy means you’re in for a whole lot of cute … and a lot less sleep. Before 4 months of age, a pup’s sleeping schedule consists of naps throughout the day and night — not the nighttime slumber you’re used to! This is a habit he'll grow out of, but with a few cozy arrangements, you can help your puppy sleep through the night with ease.
Puppy sleep training takes some preparation and time, but it can be done. The first few nights might be difficult if you have a stubborn pup who isn’t ready to hit the hay, but he'll get used to it in time. Here’s what you need to know.
According to the folks at Purina, a puppy is likely to sleep all the way through the night around 16 weeks of age. Although they will need a lot of sleep — around 17 to 20 hours a day — for the first several months of life, these naps will come in small chunks throughout the day. Just like human babies, young puppies alternate between periods of energy and rest, so it’s important to let them sleep when and where they need to.

Should you crate train your puppy?
Sleeping in a crate can benefit both you and your dog, especially when he's younger. A small puppy will have trouble controlling his bladder and might want to chew, which means containing him is essential to keeping him safe. You definitely don't want your animal to swallow something dangerous in the night or while he's home alone.

Read more
Why do dogs cry? The 5 most common reasons
Is crying a real thing with dogs? Find out here
A dog lies on the floor making sad eyes up at the camera

One of the best parts of dog ownership is having someone to comfort you when things feel tough, and we try to do the same for them. However, dogs can cry for all sorts of reasons, and it's not always a good idea to indulge them. Sometimes you need to train your pup that crocodile tears won't get them their way — when they cry to get out of the crate or to get a treat, for example.

On the flip side, you always should keep a watchful eye out for cries that indicate a deeper issue, like sudden pain or discomfort. So you know whether to turn a deaf ear or reach for your phone to call the vet, these are five of the most common reasons your pooch might cry.

Read more
Why do dogs bite their paws? There are many reasons for this behavior
Some reasons may be surprising
A puppy's paws crossed in the grass

If you've noticed your dog biting their paws, you're certainly not alone. Many pet parents have taken to Google to search "dog biting paws," but it can take a lot of research and observation to get a clear-cut answer. In the end, there are many reasons a dog may lick or bite at their paws, and you'll need to pay closer attention to your pup to see what may be going on. This may include physically examining their paws, including the toenails and between the paw pads. If that doesn't do the trick, a veterinarian's exam might be necessary to get to the root of the problem.

But before you dial the phone, read up on these reasons for paw biting to see if anything matches up with what your dog is experiencing.

Read more