Halloween Pet Safety Tips: Your Guide to a Pet-Safe Halloween

Costumes, decorations and a steady stream of visitors can make Halloween feel quite different from a normal evening at home. Some pets will barely notice; others may find the noise and activity unsettling. A little preparation can help you keep your dog or cat safe and give them the choice to step away from the festivities.

Here are the main things to think about before the trick-or-treaters arrive. You can also read our guide to autumn pet safety for advice beyond Halloween.

Reviewed by Hannah Nott BVSc MRCVS

Halloween Pet Safety Tips

1. Plan Walks and Bring Cats in Before the Evening Gets Busy

If you expect lots of trick-or-treaters nearby, consider walking your dog earlier than usual. Crowds, costumes and excited children can be a lot to navigate on an evening walk, particularly for nervous dogs.

Encourage outdoor cats to come home before dark and make sure they have access to water, a comfortable resting place and an indoor litter tray. Check that doors, windows and cat flaps are secure, especially if you’ll be opening the front door regularly. It is also a good time to check that your pet’s microchip details are up to date.It has been a legal requirement for all cats over 20 weeks to be microchipped and the details to be up to date.

2. Make the Front Door Less of an Event

Repeated knocks or doorbell rings may unsettle a pet who is not used to visitors. If your dog tends to rush towards the door, make sure they are somewhere secure before you answer it. You could also mute your doorbell notifications if the sound is a particular trigger for them.

Some households leave sweets outside to reduce the number of knocks. If you do, use a secure covered container in a place that visiting pets and wildlife cannot reach. Be mindful of what sweets you leave outside in case pets or wildlife do get access to the container. Keep any remaining sweets safely out of your own pet’s reach indoors, too.

3. Give Your Pet Somewhere Familiar to Settle

Let your pet use a quiet spot away from the front door, whether that is their usual bed, an open crate they already enjoy, or a favourite place to hide. Closing the curtains and putting on familiar background sound may help reduce some of the activity outside. Keep their normal routine where you can, and let them choose whether to spend time with you or retreat.

Some owners also use a cat calming diffuser or dog calming diffuser. If you are considering one, follow that product’s instructions and introduce it at the recommended time. If your pet regularly becomes very distressed by noise or visitors, speak to your vet about how best to support them.

Bonfire Night follows soon after Halloween. Our guide to pets and fireworks has more advice if that is also a difficult time for your pet.

4. Keep Halloween Sweets Away From Pets

Many Halloween sweets and chocolates can be harmful to pets. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, while sweets containing xylitol, also called birch sugar, are particularly dangerous for dogs. Raisins and currants are also toxic to dogs, causing acute kidney injury, with the potential to cause kidney failure. Sweet wrappers are another thing to keep out of reach.

Store the trick-or-treat haul in a cupboard rather than leaving it on a low table or in an open bag. If you think your pet has eaten chocolate, xylitol, raisins or anything else that could harm them, contact your vet straight away rather than waiting for symptoms. Keep the packaging if you have it, as it may help your vet work out what your pet has eaten. Make a note of how much your pet has eaten as well, to help your vet to work out potential toxic doses.For more detail, read our guide to chocolate poisoning in dogs.

5. Check Decorations From Your Pet’s Point of View

A decoration that looks harmless on a shelf may be tempting to a pet who likes to paw, chew or investigate. Keep small ornaments, fake cobwebs, dangling decorations and electrical cables out of reach. Watch for anything your pet could swallow or become tangled in.

Take particular care with candles inside carved pumpkins. Keep open flames away from pets, or choose a flameless light and place it where they cannot reach it. Give them their own suitable toys in a separate space rather than letting Halloween decorations become part of playtime.

If you are concerned your pet has eaten any ornaments, contact your vets immediately as this can cause intestinal blockages.

6. Let Them Skip the Costume

Most pets would rather go without a Halloween costume. An outfit can restrict movement, cover important body language or cause discomfort, particularly if a pet is not used to wearing one. If they struggle, try to remove it or seem distressed, take it off.

If you want a seasonal touch, a familiar collar or harness accessory may suit a pet who is comfortable wearing it. Avoid anything that restricts their movement or has loose parts they could chew, and supervise them while they wear it.

How Can Your Pet Join in Safely?

If your pet enjoys joining in, keep it on their terms. A suitable treat or a toy that matches how they already like to play can make the evening a little different. If they would rather rest away from the visitors, let them.

For ideas to try at home, read our guide to Halloween treats, toys and activities for dogs and cats. It covers options for both pets without asking them to dress up or change their routine.