Although you may consider Halloween a fun and friendly holiday, many traditions can be dangerous or stressful to your pet. People in costumes and crowds approaching your home may frighten your four-legged friend, the doorbell may stress them out, and candy can make them sick. To keep your pet calm, happy, and healthy during this fall festivity, follow our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team’s Halloween house rules.

#1: Halloween treats are not for pets

Halloween candy poses a significant danger to pets, because chocolate, a common candy ingredient, contains toxic compounds that pets’ bodies cannot process. These compounds (i.e., methylxanthines) can ravage a pet’s nervous system, causing gastrointestinal (GI) distress in mild cases and tremors, hyperthermia, seizures, coma, or death in severe cases. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol commonly used in sugar-free candy, gum, and baked goods is another potential Halloween pet toxin that causes a severe blood sugar crash and potentially deadly liver damage. 

Keep Halloween treats away from pets to avoid deadly toxicity. If you want to include your pet in the goodie gobbling, bake them their own pet-friendly cookies with an oat or xylitol-free peanut butter base. 

#2: Decorations belong in pet-free zones

Halloween and fall decorations can be tempting for curious, playful, and hungry pets. Many potentially edible items, including pumpkins and squash, are nontoxic but can cause stomach upset signs, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Other decor-related hazards include:

  • If your pet ingests a cornstalk or corncob, they can experience an intestinal obstruction, which is a serious surgical emergency.
  • If your pet chews an electrical cord, they can experience a shock or burn.
  • Batteries are caustic and if your pet swallows one, they can be poisoned.
  • A lit candle can fall on your pet, burning them. A live flame can also start a fire.

To prevent a potentially dangerous situation, keep decorations out of your pet’s reach. If your pet is older and calm, they may do OK around stable, inedible decorations. However, you should still supervise them closely as they investigate new items.

#3: Pets should stay inside during trick-or-treating hours

Trick-or-treaters can cause your pet tremendous stress as they are constantly ringing the doorbell and wearing costumes that could frighten your dog or cat. Allow a friendly, well-mannered, relaxed pet to approach the door if they wish, but keep them behind a gate or other barrier to prevent them from darting outside. A less social pet will appreciate staying in a quiet interior room with their favorite toys, treats, and comfy bedding. Play soothing music and plug in a pheromone diffuser to provide them with extra relaxation. If your pet is highly reactive, our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team can prescribe them an anti-anxiety medication. Also, consider having your furry pal spend the evening with a friend or family member who lives in a quieter neighborhood.

#4: Pets should preapprove their costumes 

Some pets dislike wearing garments, while others appreciate an extra layer on a cool fall day. If your pet does not tolerate clothing, don’t force them to wear a costume. However, if your pet enjoys sporting a fun ‘fit, choose wisely. Your pet’s costume should fit well—not too snug and not too loose. In addition, a pet costume should not include small pieces or parts your pet could chew off and swallow. Always supervise costume-wearing pets to ensure they are comfortable and safe. Remember, a well-fitting garment allows a pet to move and breathe without restriction or tripping.

#5: Pets should always wear a collar and identification tag

Pets have a high risk for becoming lost on Halloween, which can be especially dangerous as the overnight temperature could go below freezing. Always ensure your pet wears a collar with updated identification (ID) tags, even if they usually stay indoors. You should also have our team microchip your pet. A microchip provides your pet with permanent identification through a tiny transponder implanted beneath their skin. Veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, rescues, and police stations that have the appropriate equipment can scan the chip to access your contact information in the manufacturer’s database and help reunite you and your furry pal. 

People enjoy Halloween’s time-honored traditions, but many pets do not enjoy this holiday. Follow our Halloween house rules to help reduce your pet’s stress and avoid a disaster. If your pet has a Halloween mishap and needs medical attention, contact our Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital team or seek care from your nearest veterinary emergency facility. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, immediately contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline.