Halloween costumes, candy, parties, and crowds can be dangerous for pets. Neighborhood Veterinary Centers teams want to help pet owners avoid potential pitfalls and learn how to keep their furry pals safe. Here are the top Halloween safety hazards and how to prevent them.

Halloween candy pet hazards

Candy is arguably the best part of Halloween, but can be the most dangerous for pets. Candy often contains toxic ingredients, including chocolate, xylitol, or raisins, that can impact pets in the following ways:

  • Chocolate — Chocolate contains toxic compounds (e.g., caffeine, theobromine) that overstimulate a pet’s nervous system and, depending on the amount consumed, can lead to mild stomach upset or severe neurological effects such as seizures or death.
  • Xylitol — This artificial sweetener is found in some gum and sugar-free candies. When dogs consume xylitol, their pancreas mistakes the sweetener for actual sugar and releases insulin, which causes their blood sugar to crash. Xylitol can also cause liver damage.
  • Raisins — Raisins and their fresh cousins, grapes, contain tartaric acid, which can cause kidney failure in dogs.

Preventing toxicities starts with responsible candy management. Store candy in high, out-of-reach locations, and don’t let kids share with their four-legged friends. If you think your pet consumed a toxic food, reach out to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline for immediate assistance, and then call a Neighborhood Veterinary Centers location or local emergency hospital.

Halloween decoration pet hazards

Many people look forward to welcoming the new season with Halloween decorations, including elaborate spooky scenes on the front lawn. Your giant fall-themed welcome sign is probably a safe bet, but many other items are dangerous for curious pets, such as items with electrical cords or flames that can lead to shocks or burns, and food-like items, such as carved pumpkins or decorative corn stalks, that pets are tempted to eat. The last thing you need on Halloween is a veterinary emergency hospital visit for your pet’s foreign body surgery, so keep these items off-limits or closely supervise your pets. 

Trick-or-treating pet hazards

If your pet doesn’t like strangers or crowds or gets upset when they see a person with a hat or umbrella, Halloween day is likely to be extremely stressful. People in costumes can be unfamiliar and frightening for anxious or undersocialized pets, and a constantly ringing doorbell can make them excited or fearful. Keep pets away from the door and tucked in a cozy, quiet corner where they can relax.

You may wish to consider anti-anxiety medications, supplements, or other products if you know Halloween is particularly hard for your pet. Talk to our team in advance, so we can suggest techniques to reduce reactivity and prescribe medications that you can check for effectiveness before the big day. For extremely reactive pets, consider shutting down trick-or-treating entirely by leaving a candy bowl outside and asking trick-or-treaters to help themselves and not ring your bell.

Halloween costume pet hazards

Think about your favorite Halloween costume. Regardless of the theme, you probably chose your favorite based on comfort. Pets feel the same way—they don’t want a costume that will restrict their movement or breathing, and they will protest a poorly fitting outfit by refusing to move or trying to chew through it. Before purchasing a costume, consider the expected temperature and your pet’s personality, and ensure you know their correct size.

Pet loss Halloween safeguards

Pets often get loose on Halloween, because they slip out the open front door or someone leaves the yard gate open. You can reduce their chances by keeping pets indoors during busy afternoon and evening hours and not letting them approach trick-or-treaters at the door. 

If your pet does get out, their chances of being returned home will be better if they are wearing proper identification. A collar with up-to-date ID tags is a good start, because anyone who finds your pet can read the tag and give you a call. Our hospital teams also recommend that all pets be microchipped, which provides permanent identification that cannot fall off or break. Authorities with a special chip reader, including police departments, animal shelters, and veterinarians, can scan the microchip and find your contact information in a linked database.

Celebrate Halloween with your furry pal’s safety in mind this year. Contact a Neighborhood Veterinary Centers location to schedule a consultation regarding pre-holiday anxiety medication protocols and stress reduction strategies, or to microchip your pet.