Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Bobbing for apples, dressing up, and eating sweets are just a few of the fun parts of Halloween.  But did you know that this spooky holiday can be dangerous to your pets?

We’ve compiled the following tips to make sure your Halloween is full of treats and none of the tricks this year.

1) Minimize noise and anxiety.

Whether hosting a Halloween shindig or greeting trick-or-treaters, the flurry of activity and noise can be stressful for pets. When opening the door for guests, be mindful that your dog or cat doesn’t sneak outside. Just in case, make sure your pet is wearing proper identification with current, updated contact information. 

To save worry for yourself and your pet, consider keeping them in a separate room where they cannot escape.

2) Beware of candy.

Although the candy bowl is a delicious treat for us humans, it is dangerous for our furry counterparts. Several popular Halloween treats, including chocolate and items with xylitol (a sweetener used in many foods), are hazardous to pets. Keep the candy safely stashed in a place where your pet cannot reach.

If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your vet or the 24-hour ASPCA Poison Control Center. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of pet-safe Halloween recipes you can create for your pet to enjoy safely.

3) Watch for decor!

Decorations can create a festive air during Halloween, but they can also pose threats to our furry companions. Lit candles (fire hazard), rubber eyeballs (choking risk), glow sticks, and fake cobwebs (choking/entangling risk) can be potentially dangerous.

To avoid risks, keep decorations up high and out of the reach of your pet.

4) Be courteous with costumes.

While pets wearing costumes are adorable, they can also cause undue stress. If you do dress up your pet for Halloween, consider your pet’s personality and keep in mind what type of costume they can handle and for how long. Minimal is best.

Make sure the costume fits properly, not restricting movement or ability to breathe, and doesn’t have pieces that can present a choking hazard. Be sure to supervise your pet the entire time it wears the costume and look for signs of discomfort including a tucked tail or folded down ears.