Candy and strangers and costumes — oh my!
While a lot of fun for pets and their pawrents alike, Halloween can be filled with hidden hazards. With a little planning and extra care, you can ensure a fun, safe celebration for you and your four-legged companions.
We’ve compiled five Halloween hazards and accompanying Halloween pet safety tips to help you make the holiday a treat for everyone.
Terrifying treats.
While pumpkin can be a healthy treat for some animals, other kinds of Halloween goodies are a no-go. Don’t feed your pets any foods that contain:
Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate
Xylitol (often found in sugar-free candies and gum)
Raisins, which can cause their kidneys to fail
Hard candies
If your pet consumes any of these items, contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately. Taking quick action is critical.
Make sure Halloween treats are out of reach for even the sneakiest pets by keeping them hidden in a cabinet or pantry. If you’d like to treat your furry family member, visit a pet bakery or check out these pet-safe recipes for Halloween.
Bonus tip: The caution doesn’t end with the candy itself. Food wrappers can pose big issues if they’re swallowed and become lodged in their throat or intestinal tract.
Don’t leave your pet unattended on Halloween and watch for empty wrappers around your house and yard — and make sure to keep an eye out for discarded wrappers when you’re walking your dog in the days that follow.
Devilish décor.
We don’t want to scare you, but think twice before putting out some of your spooky decorations! Halloween décor can pose choking or entanglement risks for pets if they decide to investigate or play with them.
Candles inside jack-o-lanterns can quickly become a fire hazard if a curious pet knocks them over or singes themselves on the flame. Decorative lights might look festive, but they (and their cords) can be irresistible toys for critters.
Even festive gourds and corn cobs can be a bit too tempting for our four-legged friends!
Make sure lit candles and other Halloween decorations are out of reach at all times.
Creepy costumes.
While they may look adorable, costumes can pose health risks to pets if they’re ill-fitting or restrictive.
If you’re planning a pet costume, make sure it fits properly, is comfortable and loose enough for them to move freely, and doesn’t block any of their senses (sight, hearing, voice, etc.). Carefully examine the costume for any pieces they can chew or choke on, like buttons, beads or ribbons, before putting it on. Don’t leave them unattended while they’re wearing it.
Pro tip: In the days leading up to Halloween, introduce the costume to your furry friend so they get used to wearing it. If they look uncomfortable, take it off — there’s no need to cause them undue stress for the sake of a cute photo!
Also, keep human costume pieces and accessories, like glow sticks or fake blood, away from pets to avoid choking, internal injury or illness.
Stranger danger.
Think of Halloween from your pet’s point of view: A bunch of strangers, dressed up in scary or unfamiliar costumes, keep coming to your front door — aka the home they’re fiercely protective of!
Trick-or-treaters knocking on the door, ringing the doorbell or yelling can be stressful for our canine and feline friends. Consider placing them away from the hustle and bustle in a quiet room with their favorite toy or treat. You can even turn on a TV or radio to dull the sounds of the doorbell and excited children.
Other options include sitting outside with your candy bowl or leaving the bowl on your front steps so the doorbell isn’t constantly ringing.
If your dog stays with you to greet the trick-or-treaters, keep them safely on a leash so they don’t dart out the door.
Ominous outdoors.
As much as it’s tempting to include your dog or cat in the action, we recommend keeping them indoors for Halloween so they aren’t spooked or tempted to run away.
If you venture outside with your pup, keep them securely leashed, with a reflective collar when it’s dark out. Observe their body knowledge and your surroundings so you can make the decision to head home if things go awry. Even the best-behaved pooches can become overwhelmed by all of the strange sights and smells!
And, as always, make sure their identification (microchips, collars and ID tags) is up to date in case they get loose.
As you prepare for a night filled with tricks and treats, remember that keeping your pets safe is a top priority.
By being aware of these five Halloween safety hazards, you can enjoy the festivities without fear. Your furry friends deserve a spook-tacular celebration too—one that’s safe and enjoyable for everyone involved!