Creating a fright-free night for your pets: A guide to Halloween pet safety 

How to keep your pets safe during the spooky season 

Halloween can be just as scary of an event for your pets as it is for people. From the strangers in masks to the loud noises and scary decorations, owners should take precautions when getting ready for the holiday to ensure a safe and fun time for their pets. 

There are many things to consider when trying to keep your pets safe during the spooky season, here’s a short list of things to look out for: 

• Halloween Candy
• Scary Decorations
• Trick or Treating
• Constricting Costumes

Halloween Candy — Is it a trick or a treat for your pets? 

Although a treat for you, Halloween candy is definitely toxic and potentially even deadly for your pets. The ingredients found inside most candy, and even the wrappers themselves, can be toxic and can cause immediate trauma or a multitude of health issues long term. Keep a watchful eye on the candy bowl and any candy children may have around your pet. 

What should you do if your pet has eaten some Halloween candy? 

If your pet has ingested any candy, contact the Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 888-426-4435. 

Scary Decorations can Spook your pets 

Unfamiliarity with your seasonal decor choices can raise fear and create anxiety in your pet, so be mindful of your selections. Keep in mind that motion detecting or motion sensing halloween decor meant to jump scare, animate, or come to life may cause unneeded stress and anxiety. 

It’s not just your choice of spooky seasonal decor to be mindful of, but also where you choose to put them. Be wary of where you place your Halloween decorations, is this something your pet can trip over, is it a fire hazard (or can it become a fire hazard)? Can your pet easily reach it? 

Preparing your Pet for Trick-or-Treating  

Loud noises and strangers constantly approaching the door can cause your pet to feel anxious. Creating a safe space for your pet to hangout indoors during the night can create more comfort and prevent them from running away. This can also be beneficial for reactive pets who are often unsure of strangers. Keeping them far away from the door can prevent any incidents. 

What you can try: 

• Add a baby gate across a common area to keep your pet contained and away from strangers at the door. 
• Get an idea on how to desensitize your pets to knocking and the sound of a doorbell here.

• If your pet is crate trained, allow them to retreat to their safe space in the crate away from the chaos. 
• Try greeting trick or treaters in your front yard or doorstep to eliminate the audible doorbell trigger for your pet altogether. 

Before the holiday arrives, make sure your pet can be easily identified, and that their microchip is up to date. Read our resource guide on microchipping your pet here. 

Pets may be inclined to run out or jump a wall/fence if they spot strangers walking up to your house. If your pet does run away on Halloween, a microchip, collar, and tags are going to be a great asset for others to quickly identify who the pet belongs to and for you and your loved ones to be reunited. It’s best to keep them indoors to prevent any runaways. 

If you are considering bringing your pet along for the trick-or-treating experience, it can be helpful to prepare them for distractions and the commotion of the night in advance. Bringing your pet along can make for a fun tradition, but in the event something goes awry, make sure that they are easily seen by wearing a reflective collar or something that makes it easy to spot them at night (on top of any costume we might add).  

You know your pet best, if your pet is reactive to other animals and small children then it might be best to have them sit this activity out. 

Are pet costumes safe? 

Costumes for pets are cute as long as they’re safe for your pet. Here are some things to consider when picking out a costume for them: 

1. Does it fit properly and is it comfortable?
2. Make sure there are no pieces that can be easily chewed off — this can be a choking hazard. 
3. If it blocks their sight, hearing, ability to breathe, or restricts any movement, it would be best to find a safer option. 

Never leave your pet unsupervised while they are wearing a costume. It’s important to be on the lookout in case of a wardrobe malfunction. Not all pets are going to be comfortable wearing a costume, so consider your pet’s comfortability with wearing clothing before committing to a costume. 

Halloween, just like the Fourth of July, can have your pets feeling unsafe and anxious. There are various precautions to take that will reduce the chances of them running away. If your pets are stress free, it’ll help you enjoy the holiday, too! 

Feel free to share your Halloween experience with your pets and what you’ve found to be helpful during this time of year. 

Links

1. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/halloween-pet-safety#:~:text=Make%20sure%20your%20pets%20have,out%20of%20reach%20of%20pets. 
2. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/halloween-safety-tips-pets 

Last Updated: October 2023