Keeping your pet safe during Halloween

As the nights draw in and pumpkins start appearing on doorsteps, Halloween excitement fills the air. While it’s a time for fun, fancy dress, and sweet treats, it can also be a surprisingly stressful night for pets. From noisy trick-or-treaters to tempting chocolate, there are plenty of hidden dangers.
Here’s how to keep your cat or dog safe, calm, and happy this Halloween.

If you have a pet at home, it’s worth considering how you can make October as safe as possible for them. There are plenty of hazards around, even if you’re having Halloween at home this year, so read ahead to find out how you can keep your pets as safe and calm as possible.

Don’t share your sweets

One of the best parts of Halloween is the food! Pumpkin-flavoured treats and cauldrons full of sweets fill the house, especially if trick or treating or a small gathering is on the cards. While it’s okay for us to overindulge, it’s never a good idea to give your pet sugary snacks.

After all, the bowl of sweets is for trick-or-treaters, not your cat or dog! A lot of these types of foods can be toxic to animals, particularly treats that contain chocolate. You should get in touch with your vet immediately if your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t.

You can help your pet feel included with some dog treats and cat-friendly treats.

Common Halloween hazards for pets include:

• Chocolate – contains theobromine, toxic to dogs and cats.
• Xylitol (in sugar-free sweets) – can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar.
• Raisins and grapes – often found in snack boxes- can cause kidney failure.
• Sweet wrappers can cause blockages if swallowed.

Be careful with costumes

From vampire fangs to witches’ fingers, there are lots of ways we can get in the Halloween spirit with a bit of fancy dress. If you’re having a Zoom Halloween party this year or your little one has a fancy dress day at school, it can be fun for everyone – and it can seem like a fun idea to get your pet involved too. Especially if you see your friends and family’s pets dressed up on social media!

But it’s important to remember that putting your pet in a costume, especially if they’re small, can be hazardous and uncomfortable for them. It can cause them a lot of stress if they don’t like it, and some pets might chew or swallow smaller parts of a costume, which can cause stomach upset or even choking. A costume with lots of complex components can cause injury to your pet, too, especially if they try to wiggle out of it. 

If your pet looks uncomfortable with ears back, tail tucked, or trying to hide, take the costume off immediately. Not all pets enjoy dressing up, and that’s okay!

So if you’re considering dressing your pet up this Halloween, have your pet try their costume on to see if they are happy to wear it. It’s best to keep it simple, so why not try a pair of lightweight bat wings or a spooky jumper instead of anything too over the top!

Decoration danger

If going all out with decorations is your favourite part of Halloween, you’re not alone. Spider webs, paper bats and jack-o-lanterns are great for setting a spooky scene and are mostly safe to have around the house. Be wary of where you put your decor, though, particularly if you have cats that like to explore your surfaces or a large dog with an energetic tail!

Watch out for battery-powered decorations, as button batteries can be fatal if swallowed. Also, avoid fake cobweb sprays outdoors as they can trap wildlife as well as curious cats.

Your pet could easily knock over a pumpkin and start a fire in your home if it isn’t kept out of reach, or if they’re a fan of chewing, you might find that they take a liking to the new, exciting things in your house that they can reach.

The best approach is to keep your decor well out of the way of curious pets and closely monitor them when candles are lit. It’s fun to decorate your home, but keeping health and safety at the forefront is essential for a happy Halloween.

Encourage calm

Any big occasion has the potential to cause stress to your pet. Halloween is no exception, and can be especially scary if you have lots of trick-or-treaters or have a small gathering at home. The music, decorations, big costumes and activities can cause distress if your pet is used to a peaceful environment. 

It’s a good idea to put your pet in a safe, quiet place in your house with their bed, toys, food and water to keep them occupied and away from the commotion. Close your curtains to block flashing lights or scary costumes, and consider playing white noise or soft music to create a calm environment. Other than that, stick to your dog’s routine as much as possible, ensuring they have exercise and regular meal times.

You could also consider giving your pet a calming supplement, such as Zylkene Calming Capsules for Cats and Dogs, or use a calming diffuser such as Adaptil.

Neil’s top tips:

• Don’t leave your dog or cat home alone during peak trick-or-treating hours. They will find comfort in you being with them if the door is knocking, and you can help minimise their stress.
• Make sure your pet is microchipped and all their details are up to date. If the door is opening and closing often, they might slip out onto the street. Should the worst happen, an updated microchip will give you and your pet the best chance of being reunited. 
• If you have visitors for Halloween and you’ve put your pet in a safe, comfortable place, be sure to pop in to visit them regularly to soothe them and give them some attention.
• Keep collars and ID tags on your pets, even if they’ll be staying indoors.
• Store decorations away safely after Halloween to prevent accidental nibbling.