10/31/2025
Halloween Pet Safety 🕷️🔮🕯️👻🍭🍬🍫
Treats and Parties
To keep pets safe during Halloween, stash all candy out of reach, as many popular treats are toxic. Chocolate of any kind, especially dark or baking varieties, is dangerous for both dogs and cats. Furthermore, sugar-free items containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause severe issues in pets. When the doorbell rings, the sudden activity and presence of costumed strangers can be stressful. For this reason, most pets should be kept in a separate, comfortable room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. To help them relax, provide high-value distractions like a chew or a puzzle toy.
Decor and Costumes
Be cautious with festive decorations, especially carved, lit jack-o'-lanterns, as they pose a fire risk if knocked over, which is a particular danger for curious kittens near open flames. Also, ensure all electrical wires are kept out of paw’s reach. When considering costumes, only dress your pet if you are certain they enjoy it; if you do, the outfit must not restrict their movement, sight, breathing, or ability to bark/meow. Check costumes for small, detachable pieces that could be a choking hazard, and ensure a proper fit to prevent twisting or injury. Human costume accessories can also attract pets, so keep small, potentially toxic plastic items secured.
Identification and Visibility
Because the excitement and strange sights of Halloween can easily spook pets into bolting, ensuring they are easily identifiable is crucial. A secure collar with a current ID tag can be a lifesaver if they get lost. If you take your pet outside after dark, they must wear a reflective collar, be kept on a secure leash, and have proper identification attached. Fun, festive tags are available, but the most important thing is that their ID is up-to-date, whether it's Halloween or any other day of the year.
