4 Halloween safety tips for your pet

Hi, Heidi Cooley, DVM, here. I’ve been a doctor at Banfield for 19 years and today I want to chat about Halloween safety.

Halloween is a time for kids and adults alike to socialize with their community and foster creativity. It’s also a popular holiday to enjoy with your pet. You’ve probably seen no shortage of Halloween pet costumes at your local retail or pet stores.

But just because it’s now more acceptable to have your favorite furry friend partake in the festivities, it doesn’t mean you should forget about their safety. Halloween can also be a stressful time for dogs and cats, and it’s important to keep their welfare at top of mind.

Below are some helpful tips to ensure you and your pet have a safe and fun Howl-o-ween.

Like taking candy from a dog

Candy is a big no-no for pets for a variety of reasons. Chocolate, grapes, raisins, and sugar-free candy containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be deadly to dogs or cats, and copious amounts of sugar can cause an upset stomach. In addition, candy wrappers can also be dangerous to dogs and cats as they can be choking hazards or get lodged in their intestinal tract. We recommend that your children don’t play with or eat their candy on the floor, and if they do, secure your pet in another room. Otherwise, try to enjoy the candy in an elevated place inaccessible to your dog or cat.

Woof’s there?

Some dogs love company, but others not so much. Loud noises or foot traffic can cause stress, agitation, and possibly aggression. If your dog doesn’t take well to trick-or-treaters, particularly ones in scary masks, make sure to secure them in a safe and calming part of the house. Or better yet, set up a table on the sidewalk and hand out candy away from your home. The same goes for kitties — some cats are excellent escape artists and take any opportunity to run out the front door. If you have a little Hairy Houdini at home, make sure they’re locked in a room where they feel safe, with access to their litter box, food, water, and bird videos to keep them distracted.

High anxiety

On the flip side, some dogs get nervous when their family is away from the house. If you plan on going trick-or-treating and your pet suffers from separation anxiety, here are a few tips to help keep them calm:

Exercise your pup before you leave — getting them tired will help them relax
Give your dog a treat or toy that only comes out when you’re gone
Make your leaving the house as low-key as possible
Put on soothing music
Ask your vet for other solutions or possible medication if your pet’s behavior is severe

Here are some additional tips on how to help your pet through separation anxiety.

No tricks, just treats

If you plan on taking your furball trick-or-treating with you, there are a few things you should consider:

Walking around the neighborhood could get exhausting for pets. Consider bringing a pet stroller with you if you’re planning on being out for a while. You can possibly even incorporate it into their costume (spaceship and its alien maybe?).
You’ll also want to check the weather to make sure it’s pet appropriate — dogs and cats get cold too — and make sure your pet has reflective gear, a name tag, and a good leash.
If you dress up your pet, make sure they’re wearing a pet-safe costume. You’ll want to be certain there are no bits your pet can chew on such as cords or sequins, and you’ll want to make sure their costume isn’t too restrictive and become a choking hazard. We have some helpful costume tips here.
If your dog isn’t good with crowds, is not socialized with children, or gets triggered by sound machines or frenetic lighting, leave them at home — it’s safer for everybody.