Tips and Treats: A Halloween Safety Guide for Your Pet

Holiday Food

Halloween, like other holidays, is known for tasty treats and goodies. While it’s tempting to give your pet a taste, avoid the following foods:

• Raw pumpkin - difficult to digest and may cause stomach upset when fed in large quantities
• Fatty foods like cookies, cakes, and other desserts
• Spicy foods like BBQ rubs and chili
• Salty foods like chips and pretzels

Candy

Sharing candy is a Halloween tradition. Unfortunately, this is one tradition that we shouldn’t share with our pets. Most candy is high in sugar and other ingredients that can cause stomach upset or worse. Definitely keep these sweet treats away from your pet:

• Chocolate
• Candy wrappers
• Sweets or chewing gum containing the sugar substitute, Xylitol
• Grapes and raisins
• Nuts

Instead, find a pet-safe alternative at your local pet supply store. Better yet, check out this recipe for homemade peanut butter and pumpkin dog treats!

Halloween Decorations

Decorating for Halloween can be a fun way to celebrate the holiday. Unfortunately, some pets enjoy our decorations a little too much, so be sure to keep these items out of reach:

• Candles
• Glow sticks
• Fake spider webs
• Edible decorations
• Corn cobs
• Balloons

Trick-or-Treaters

Costumed visitors and loud noises can be scary for your pet. Be sure that your dog or cat has a safe, quiet place to hide if you’ll be welcoming trick-or-treaters to your home this Halloween. Keeping your pet in a secure kennel or bedroom will also ensure that they can’t sneak out the door as you’re passing out treats.

If you’re heading out to trick-or-treat, leave your pet behind if you’re worried about their reaction to strange costumes and busy sidewalks. You can always share a special (pet-safe) treat when you get back home.

Cute Pet Costumes

Not all cats and dogs appreciate being dressed up, even if it is Halloween. Don’t force your pet to wear a costume if it causes extra stress. If you’re planning to dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume is made from flame-resistant, non-toxic, comfortable material.

Read more:

Noise Anxiety in Cats and Dogs

Tips for Helping Your Dog with Separation Anxiety

Look Out for These 7 Autumn Pet Hazards

Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding Halloween and your pet or another condition?

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