Halloween can be extra fun if you have pets to celebrate with. But while handing out candy with your very own cat-amaran or trick-or-treating with your super-pup is a good way to make memories, it can also be stressful—or even dangerous. In fact, every year emergency calls to the Pet Poison Helpline increase by 12% during Halloween week.1 Here are some Halloween pet safety tips to maximize your enjoyment and minimize stress and risk.
Ding-dong: Helping your dog manage doorbell stress on Halloween night
Halloween can unleash plenty of stress in even the most even-tempered canines. Think about it from your dog's perspective: Most nights, no one rings your bell and there isn't frequent noise coming from outside. Then comes Halloween, with doorbells, foot traffic and strangers galore. Your dog needs your help to safely navigate this new and stressful event.
Follow these tips to ensure your pup fares well on that one night of the year when your doorbell works overtime.
1. Keep overly protective dogs in a quiet room
If your dog is overly protective of you or he growls or cowers at people wearing hats, sunglasses or strange outfits, usher him into a quiet room far from the front door. Provide him with toys, water, food and a comfy bed. Then, turn on a classical music station to soothe him and muffle the front-door trick-or-treat activity.
2. Exercise your dog earlier in the day
Exercising your dog prior to the arrival of trick-or-treaters can help keep your pup calm. Go on a vigorous walk or play an extended game of fetch to reduce his energy level. That way, he'll have less nervous energy when the doorbell is ringing, which will help everyone feel better.
3. Keep friendly dogs on a waist leash
If your dog loves greeting people, tether him to you using a waist leash. This will keep your hands free so you can give out candy while limiting your dog's movement toward strangers. Tethering your dog also enables you to body block him in case one of your doorbell ringers is accompanied by a dog. Some turf-protective dogs do not take kindly to having a strange dog dare to come to their front door.
4. Teach your dog to sit when the doorbell rings
Keep a bag of your dog's favorite treats handy in bite-sized pieces. Only give him a treat when he plops into a sit on cue as you answer the door. By the fourth or fifth Halloween visitor, he'll figure out that he gets rewarded for sitting politely.
Helping your cat feel relaxed and safe on Halloween night
Unfortunately, most cats do not like all the commotion that accompanies All Hallows' Eve. Be sure to take some simple precautions to ensure a safe holiday for everyone, including your feline family members.
1. Keep your cat in a quiet, separate room
Cats are territorial and may get agitated with so many strangers coming to the front door. Since many of these strangers will be wearing costumes, your cat may experience greater anxiety than usual. Consider keeping your cat comfortable in a room away from the front door. Have plenty of toys and treats to keep him busy. If you leave your cat at home while you go trick-or-treating, perhaps you can get a pet sitter to ensure your cat remains calm.
2. Bring outdoor cats inside
If your cat is normally allowed to wander outside, you may want to keep him indoors on Halloween to prevent distress from the holiday commotion.
3. Make sure your cat has ID
Cats are extremely quick, especially when startled, so make sure your cat is wearing a collar with updated ID tags. Even if your cat is microchipped, the contact information on his tags will lead to a speedier return home if he escapes.
Avoid these Halloween candies and snacks that are dangerous for pets
Halloween is associated with spooky haunted houses, pet Halloween costumes and most of all, Halloween candy! But it's important to remember that certain types of candy and other Halloween snacks can be toxic to pets. If you have children, remind them to be extra careful to not leave out candy that your pets can get into.
The following nine Halloween candies and snacks are dangerous to dogs and cats.
1. Candy corn and other high-sugar candies
Candy corn and other high-sugar candies can cause severe gas and diarrhea in pets. The sugar not only provides a great source of food for gut bacteria to indulge in, but it can also pull water into the colon and cause a bad case of diarrhea.
2. Chocolate
All types of chocolate—whether candy, cookie or another dessert form—are dangerous for your pets. The theobromine and caffeine in chocolate are not only dangerous for dogs, but they're also dangerous for cats too.2 Eating chocolate can lead to stomach upset, increased heart rate, seizures or even comas. The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it has.
3. Chocolate-covered raisins
Chocolate-covered raisins combine two potentially fatal ingredients that can affect both dogs and cats. Chocolate is toxic to pets and can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. Raisins (and other grape products) can cause severe kidney failure. The two of these combined is the ultimate toxic nightmare for pets. If your pet eats any chocolate-covered raisins, take them to your veterinarian immediately for treatment.
4. Candy with plastic or foil wrappers
Plastic and foil candy wrappers pose a health risk, as they can cause an obstruction in the intestines and irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes pets can pass the wrappers without a problem, but it's best to keep all wrapped treats away from pets just in case.
5. Bite-sized hard candy
Bite-sized hard candy (like Jolly Ranchers) has a delicious taste for dogs; however, these treats pose a major choking hazard for pets. Hard candy becomes slippery when mixed with saliva and can be inhaled into the trachea (windpipe), causing a choking hazard. Be sure to keep these candies away from dogs and cats.
6. Sugar-free gum or candy
Sugar-free gum and other candy may contain Xylitol, a sugar substitute. Xylitol is safe for people, but it can be deadly if ingested by a dog. Xylitol causes a severe drop in blood sugar that can happen within minutes after ingestion. Pets may become lethargic and unable to walk, and start having seizures. If they survive the initial symptoms, they often will have severe liver damage and potentially fatal liver failure. This is the most dangerous type of Halloween candy for pets.
7. Certain kinds of nuts
While people might substitute nuts for candy if they want to be healthier on Halloween, this isn't always a good idea for your pet. Certain kinds of nuts are unsafe for pets. As few as six macadamia nuts can poison your dog, causing vomiting and weakness.3 Some nuts, like pistachios and almonds, are choking hazards. Other nuts used for snacking might have added flavors that are toxic to pets.
8. Milk and dairy products
Some candies and Halloween treats are made from dairy, which can irritate your dog or cat's stomach.4 Many dogs and cats are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy.
9. Anything with nutmeg or cinnamon
Some Halloween candies and cookies might be spiced with nutmeg or cinnamon, which dogs and cats should avoid. Nutmeg can cause hallucinations and vomiting due to a compound called myristicin. Cinnamon is not toxic, but it can irritate your pet's mouth or even alter blood sugar levels.5
Alternatives for safe Halloween treats
While everyone's enjoying Halloween candy, you might want your dogs or cats to enjoy some safe treats of their own. They're also less likely to try to steal your candy if they have a treat they can enjoy! You can buy Halloween-themed cat and dog treats at the store and use those when you're all sitting around and enjoying your candy. Certain types of fruit are safe for pets too, like small amounts of blueberries or pumpkins. You can even find DIY recipes online if you want to bake your own pet-safe treats. Just double-check with your veterinarian if you have any questions.
Be careful with costumes
While it can be fun to dress up your pet for Halloween, be careful with costumes.6 Most pets would prefer you skip the costume entirely. If you do use one, make sure that it doesn't have any small parts your pet might choke on, and that it can be quickly put on or removed. Don't use any costume that will block your pet's movements or senses. In general, it might be best to avoid costumes. If you really want your pet to wear one, supervise him at all times and never leave him alone while he's dressed up.
Use extra caution around Halloween decor
It's important to not only be cautious about costumes, but about Halloween decorations too. Make sure any lit candles or jack-o'-lanterns are outside of your pet's reach. Avoid glow sticks, as the liquid can irritate your pet.
In addition, make sure any plants you have around the house are non-toxic to cats and dogs. And watch out for anything your pet might chew on that could be toxic or a choking hazard, like fake cobwebs, fake blood or rubber eyeballs.7 Even seasonal scents used in essential oil diffusers or potpourri can be toxic.8
Instead, consider substituting some of your decor with cute, pet-friendly options. You can make a haunted house out of cardboard boxes for your cat to play in, or buy a pet bed for your dog that has a Halloween theme.
The bottom line
Despite being a festive and fun night for us humans, Halloween can create a lot of pitfalls for our pets. Having pet insurance ensures that your dog or cat is well-cared for in the event of an unforeseen mishap or accident. Check out our affordable Accident Only plans, which provide coverage for nearly anything your pet manages to get into on Halloween.
Terms and conditions apply; see policy for details.
Sources
- "Halloween Dangers to Dogs & Cats." Pet Poison Helpline, https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/seasons/halloween/. Last accessed August 23, 2022.
- OVRS Staff, "Can Cats Eat Chocolate Or Anything Chocolate?" Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, November 21, 2020, https://www.ovrs.com/blog/can-cats-eat-chocolate/. Last accessed August 23, 2022.
- "Slideshow: Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat." Fetch by WebMD, February 22, 2022, https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat. Last accessed September 23, 2022.
- Hagen, Janine. "Can I Give My Dog and Cat Dairy Products?" Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, https://aercmn.com/can-i-give-my-dog-and-cat-dairy-products/. Last accessed August 23, 2022.
- Ultimo, Caitlin. “Is Nutmeg Safe for Dogs?" PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/nutmeg-safe-dogs. Last accessed September 23, 2022.
- "7 Things You Can Do to Make Halloween Safer For Your Pet." American Veterinary Medical Association, https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/halloween-pet-safety. Last accessed August 23, 2022.
- "Halloween Safety Tips for Pets." The Humane Society of the United States, https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/halloween-safety-tips-pets. Last accessed August 23, 2022.
- Burgess, Dr. Karen, "Essential Oil/Potpourri Toxicity." Healthy Paws Animal Hospital, March 31, 2014, https://www.healthypawsanimalhospital.com/essential-oilpotpourri-toxicity/. Last accessed August 23, 2022.