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Tips for a Safe Halloween with Your Pets

Tips for a Safe Halloween with Your Pets
by
October 16, 2025
in Humane Education Column
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By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist

Another knock on the door causing stress for your pets? Constant barking? Much meowing? My two dogs raise a very noisy ruckus simply when UPS or Fed-EX pull in the drive. I can’t imagine if I had repeated knocking on the door or the ringing of the doorbell on Halloween. Living in the country solves that problem, but my dogs still have delivery folks to bark at until they leave. They are either announcing the arrival of a package – maybe their dog food – or they are warning me that somebody who doesn’t belong here is out there and they will do their darndest to protect me. Whatever, it’s reassuring, and I thank them daily for their concerns.

But, back to Halloweeners coming to your house. Ahead of the onslaught, you can place your pets in another room, which prevents them from running out the front door. You may still hear them announcing the arrival of trick-or-treaters, but they are now safe. Maybe give them a chewable treat or play some calming music for them. If you are having a party in your home to enjoy this very popular day/night, then containing them in another room is good for them and you and your guests.

Candy can present issues with your pets. Many foods such as chocolate, chewing gum, and Xylitol/birch sugar can be toxic to pets. Hide the candy away in higher places or place the Halloween candy in a Help-Yourself basket outside the front door. (The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Hotline is a 24-hour source of advice at 888-426-4435.)

If you are decorating indoors for this holiday, be mindful of potential risks in some objects. Plastic spiders might be interpreted by your cats as needing to be “killed.” Some “eyeball” decorations could cause choking hazards for both dogs and cats. Be cautious of lit candles.

Think of Halloween pet costumes from your pet’s point of view. My dogs would totally resist even having me try to outfit them in some strange items. If your pet absolutely refuses to have or wear a costume, you may want to forget it. Maybe a simple Halloween neck scarf would be sufficient.

Bringing those pets indoors before dark is a good precaution. You may want to keep your cats indoors. Dogs, too. Making sure they have collars with ID tags on and microchipping beforehand is always an easy way to have a lost pet returned. You never know when a pet will figure out how to escape.

Enjoy a safe Halloween for yourself and your pets.

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