Halloween safety tips for pets

By Kristia Goodnight

As the leaves rustle and the air takes on a crisp autumnal edge, Halloween approaches with its enchanting blend of spookiness and festivity. While we deck out our homes with fall decorations and plan our pet's costumes for the big night, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our furry companions should be top of mind.

Fall decorations and your pets

Whether you're setting the spooky stage for trick-or-treaters or simply bringing your favorite harvest elements indoors, decorating is a favorite part of the autumn season for many people.

However, the allure of fall decorations isn’t limited to humans. Cats and dogs alike can view your new holiday decor as a fun new toy, playing with it, and even eating pieces. This leads to choking and obstruction hazards. Consider your pets when shopping for decor, and keep anything that could harm your pets out of their reach.

The warm glow of jack-o'-lanterns and fall-scented candles are an iconic part of Halloween decor, but open flames are both a fire hazard and an opportunity for a curious pet to become hurt. Closely monitor any live flames or choose flameless alternatives (with secure batteries) to protect your curious pets.

When using fog machines, keep your pets out of the area. While fog machines add a fun and eerie ambiance, the chemicals used to make the fog solution can be harmful to pets.

Secure wires and small decorations indoors and outside. Wires and small decorations can become choking hazards when viewed through the eyes of your pet as an interactive toy. Electric shock, entanglement, and poisoning are all concerns with wired and small decor. Tape down wires and secure small decor items to help protect your pets.

Are pet Halloween costumes safe?

Including our pets in the Halloween costume fun is a growing trend. More than 3/4 of pet owners dress up their pets for Halloween. While adorable, Halloween costumes can be harmful to pets if they are ill-fitting or are made of small pieces that can be swallowed. When shopping for your pet’s costume, keep your pet’s safety top of mind:

Allow your pet time to get accustomed to the costume before Halloween. First let them sniff it out, then move on to slowly wearing it. Offer positive reinforcement with the costume with high-value treats and praise. This helps reduce stress and ensures a positive experience.

Even if you’ve ‘practiced’ with the costume, your pet may become overwhelmed if forced to wear it for an extended time. Limiting the time your pet spends in a costume is the best way to prevent any pain or stress.

Never leave a costumed pet unsupervised. Keep a watchful eye for any signs of stress or discomfort, and intervene quickly to remove the costume if needed.

Halloween parties can cause pet stress

The fun and funky energy of Halloween parties can be overwhelming and even scary for pets, but you can help them navigate the spooky season festivities.

Designate a quiet pets-only room: Create a safe space away from the party's hustle and bustle where pets can retreat. A spare bedroom is the perfect place to set up. Put your pet’s bed, food and water, litterbox, and favorite or interactive toys in the room. Consider keeping your pet in the room while guests are arriving and leaving to prevent them from accidentally escaping through the front door.

Calming aids: Feliway, known for its calming effects on cats, can help maintain a serene environment. ThunderShirts offer physical comfort for frightened dogs, alleviating anxiety during the festivities. Talk with your veterinarian about trying out calming aids before the party to find what works best for your pets.

Communicate with guests: Tell your guests about your pet's safety priorities and the importance of respecting your pet's space. Place a clear sign on the door to the safe room, so guests know it's off-limits.

Masks and costumes: Pets may find masks and costumes disorienting. Even familiar people may become frightening due to altered appearances and scents. Be cautious when introducing costumed guests to your pets or wearing costumes around your pets.

Trick or treating with pets

Including your pets in trick-or-treating festivities requires careful planning:

If you’re hosting trick-or-treaters, keep in mind that your front door will be open a lot which greatly increases the opportunity for an escaped - and lost pet. Plan ahead and double-check your pet’s ID tags, and microchip information.

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To prevent escape, keep pets in a quiet back room. Set up a comfortable space with a crate, beds, a treat-filled toy, and soft music. If possible, take your dog for a walk before dark to work out some extra energy while limiting exposure to any dropped candy and other potential dangers that may be unavoidable after dusk.

Greet trick-or-treaters outside to minimize the stress caused by constant knocking or doorbell ringing. This reduces anxiety for both pets and guests.

If you plan to dress up and head out for candy, avoid taking pets along when trick-or-treating.

While it’s a fun and festive evening for you, costumes and unfamiliar environments can cause anxiety for pets. A spooked or frightened pet may instinctively run away or become aggressive. It's best to keep even the most well-behaved pets at home during trick-or-treating.

What Halloween candy is safe for dogs?

Halloween candy is a treat many kids and adults alike look forward to. However, most candy is not safe to share with your dogs. Chocolate, xylitol, raisins, and other common Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Even candy wrappers and small toys can pose choking hazards.

Kids love to stash candy in their pockets to be later tucked away under the bed or in a toybox, but a dog can sniff out even the best-hidden treats. Tell your children the importance of keeping candy out of your pet’s reach and store all candy in a safe location.

Before Halloween arrives, save your veterinarian's contact information and the ASPCA Poison Control and PetPoison Hotline numbers in your phone. Update your pet first aid kit and remind family members of your pet safety plans. Quick access to resources makes all the difference in emergency situations.

Can I give my dog pumpkin for Halloween?

Instead of sharing your Halloween candy haul, you can offer your pup a fall treat that can be both safe and nutritious for your furry friend: Pumpkin.

Pumpkin is not only a festive treat but also a nutritious addition to your dog's diet. Rich in fiber, it aids in digestion and can be particularly helpful for pets with gastrointestinal issues. Like any treat, moderation is key. Incorporate pumpkin treats in appropriate amounts to avoid any potential digestive issues.

When looking for pumpkin options to treat your pup, choose plain canned pumpkin only. Avoid processed pumpkin treats, pumpkin pie filling, and anything with pumpkin spice.

While pumpkin is generally safe, always check with your veterinarian before introducing any new food into your pet's diet. Their guidance is the best way to confirm that the addition aligns with your pet's specific health needs and proper portions.

Final thoughts on pet Halloween safety

Balancing the fun of Halloween with the safety and well-being of our beloved pets will give your family a safe and festive fall season to remember, for all the right reasons.

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Writers Bio:

Kristia Goodnight is a freelance SEO Content Marketing Strategist with a specialty in pet content. She writes for multiple national brands on pet health, medical, care and grooming, nutrition, lifestyle, and training. Tia and her husband have two rescue cats, who share a passion for ear rubs and destroying her favorite armchair.