Halloween Pet Safety: What's Actually Dangerous and What's Just Spooky

in Check It Out!

Halloween is the one night a year when your front door opens fifty times, strangers in masks show up asking for candy, and a bowl of chocolate sits at nose height for your dog.

It's a lot. For people, it's fun. For pets, it can be confusing, scary, and sometimes dangerous. The good news is that a little planning fixes most of it.

Here's what's actually dangerous, what's just spooky, and what to do about both.

The real dangers

Chocolate. Dark and baker's chocolate are the most risky for dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more of the harmful ingredient it has. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and a racing heart. A milk chocolate bar isn't the same as dark, but any chocolate is a reason to call a vet.

Xylitol. This sweetener hides in sugar-free candy and gum, and some peanut butter brands use it too. It can be very dangerous for dogs, even in small amounts, and trouble can start within about 20 minutes. Read the label on any candy or peanut butter in your house.

Raisins. Those little boxes in the trick-or-treat bowl aren't safe for dogs.

Wrappers. Foil and cellophane can cause blockages. Cats love shiny crinkly wrappers, and dogs will eat the whole thing, wrapper and all.

Pumpkins and decorative corn. A little nibble can upset a stomach, and bigger bites can cause a blockage. Plain pumpkin is fine on the porch. Just keep it where your pet can't treat it like a snack.

Candles. A wagging tail can knock a candle over fast. Switch to battery lights.

Costumes. If your pet wears one, it should never limit movement, sight, hearing, or breathing. Test it out a few days early. If your pet hates it, a simple bandana works great.

The spooky stuff

Even a pet who loves people can have a rough Halloween night. Doorbells, masks, and loud kids are stressful. A stressed pet may bark, hide, or bolt out the door when you open it. That's why your pet needs a plan, and the plan starts before the sun goes down.

Your Halloween plan

Lock up the candy. Keep it high, closed, and out of reach. A dog's nose will find a hidden bag.
Put the trick-or-treat bowl outside or by the door, not on the floor or coffee table.
Give your pet a quiet room. A back bedroom with a bed, water, soft music, and a closed door is a gift on a loud night.
Check the ID. Make sure tags are on and the microchip has your current phone number.
Plan a potty break before the rush. Do the last long walk before trick-or-treating begins.
Throw away wrappers right away. Close the trash tight.

Give them something to do

A busy pet is a calmer pet. This is where the Love Bowl earns its place. One side is a slow feed bowl. The other side is a licky mat. Spread a thin layer of a soft treat you already trust on the licky mat and hand it over in the quiet room before the doorbell starts. Licking takes focus, and many pets settle down while they do it. Save the slow feed side for dinner, and your pet has two jobs for one evening.

Try the Love Bowl a few days early so your pet knows how it works. Halloween night isn't the time to test something new.

If your pet eats something they shouldn't

Don't wait for symptoms. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away at 888-426-4435. A fee applies for the ASPCA line. Have this ready when you call:

What your pet ate
How much, as close as you can tell
When it happened
Your pet's weight
The wrapper or label, if you have it

Calls to the ASPCA's poison center go up during Halloween week, and many of them are about dogs and chocolate. Calling early gives your pet the best shot.

After Halloween

The danger doesn't end at midnight. For the next week, watch your walks. Dropped candy, wrappers, and old pumpkins can show up on sidewalks and lawns. Keep your leash short and say leave it often.