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Pet Halloween Safety

Ben McCarty

From candy to costumes and trick or treaters at the door, Halloween brings certain risks to pets.

Candy & wrappers

Sweets and wrappers can cause pets digestive distress, or worse: obstructions. Top “treat” culprits include:

  • Unsweetened, dark/bittersweet and baking chocolate appeals to many pets and can be toxic.
  • Xylitol, a sweetener found in many “sugar-free” foods and treats). Ingesting even a small amount of xylitol can affect blood sugar levels and even cause liver damage. Symptoms can include depression, loss of coordination, and vomiting — within minutes or days of ingestion. Items that may include xylitol include baked goods, cough syrup, chewable vitamins, mouthwash, toothpaste, and anything labeled “sugar-free.”

If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.

Keep them inside

Trick or treaters ringing your doorbell can cause pets overexcitement, confusion, or fear. Monitor open doors, and make sure your pets have ID tags and microchips in case they get out. Outdoor pets, especially black cats, should be kept indoors on Halloween.

Decorations

  • Keep fake cobwebs, glow sticks, and light strands/cords out of reach.
  • Never leave candles, including those in jack-o-lanterns, unattended.
  • Never allow pets to eat leftover jack-o-lanterns.

Costumes

While some pets enjoy dressing up, others don’t. If you do choose to put your pet in costume, be sure it fits properly and doesn’t hinder movement, vision, or breathing.

Here’s to all treats and no tricks this Halloween!

Resources

Poison Control