Tricks and treats for a pet-safe Halloween

’Tis the season for tricks and treats. But for our pets, some parts of Halloween can be tricky and potentially unsafe if we’re not careful. Check out these Halloween pet safety tips — plus ways to treat your pet for a bewitching holiday.

Tricky: Elaborate costumes | Treat: Small festive accessories

Let’s face it: Halloween costumes aren’t always the most comfortable to wear, even on us humans. So imagine what a pet, who doesn’t understand why they’re dressing up, might feel. When it comes to Halloween costumes for pets, their comfort and safety are paramount. Bulky or elaborate costumes with multiple pieces can restrict their movement and pose trip or choking hazards. And any costume, regardless of how simple it is, can stress a pet if they’re not comfortable in it.

But that doesn’t mean pets can’t take part in the dress-up fun. Keep it simple with items like a festive bandana, collar, or T-shirt. For anything your pet isn’t already used to wearing, introduce the item over several days prior to Halloween. Leave the costume out where your pet can see and investigate it before you put it on them. And when you do put it on, do so for only a few minutes at first — removing it right away if your pet starts to get uncomfortable. If they only have positive experiences with the costume — with heaps of praise and treats from you — they’re more likely to enjoy wearing it.

Tricky: Hazardous candy | Treat: Pet-safe snacks

Like costumes, candy is ubiquitous around Halloween. Who doesn’t love a treat, right Fluffy? But not all our people treats are good for pets, and sometimes it can be a challenge to keep track of all that candy floating around in bags and bowls on Halloween. Candy that’s unsafe for pets includes chocolate, raisins, anything with xylitol, and hard candy — even nontoxic ingredients can pose a choking risk. Plus, too much sugar can cause stomach upset among other issues for pets. Also, watch out for candy wrappers that a pet might ingest because they smell like food. (Don’t we all wish there were more candy hiding in that wrapper?)

To help keep your pet safe, make a plan with everyone in your household to have one spot where all the candy is stashed that’s out of your pet’s reach. And instead of a candy bowl for trick-or-treaters, consider using a sealed food container for an added layer of safety. Plus, you can still include Fluffy in the trick-or-treat spirit by buying or making some pet-safe snacks. (Check out these homemade dog treat recipes.) And keep some pet treats by the door for any furry trick-or-treaters, who might even perform a trick for their treat. Your local animal shelter will surely appreciate treats too — the human and the pet kind.

Tricky: Trick-or-treaters | Treat: Fright-free zone

Even pets who seem to view every stranger as a new best friend might not like those friends so much when they’re dressed as ghosts and ghouls. Groups of boisterous trick-or-treaters knocking on your door can quickly become a fright night for any pet. Not to mention, regularly opening the door can result in a pet darting out and getting lost.

For most pets, it’s best to set them up in a quiet, secure space away from where you’ll be greeting trick-or-treaters. Give them a food puzzle or toy to keep them occupied, and turn on some music or the TV to help drown out any spooky sounds. You also can take a walk or drive with your pet away from areas busy with trick-or-treaters if they need a break from the “monsters” at the door. And don’t forget to make sure your pet is wearing an up-to-date ID collar and is microchipped for a quick reunion if they do get lost.

Tricky: Scary parties | Treat: Pet-friendly fun

Just like trick-or-treaters might spook a pet, a Halloween party might feel like a haunted house — and not in a scary good way. A party can overwhelm a pet’s senses with all the people in unusual garb, the moody lighting, the creepy music, and so on. Plus, decor like candles and glow sticks can be hazardous for pets.

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But you can still brew up some fear-free fun with your pet for Halloween. Have empty cardboard boxes lying around? Use your artistic skills to turn them into a haunted house/cat hideaway. Or, for a twist on apple bobbing, fill a dog bowl with water and some treats or tennis balls, and let your pup splash around for their prizes. Check your community calendar, including at your local animal shelter, for pet-friendly fall events, too. Get creative, have fun with it, and leave the fright nights to the humans.

Tricky: Walks on Halloween | Treat: A new route

If you normally take an evening stroll around the neighborhood with your pet, you might want to rethink your plan on Halloween if your route could involve lots of witches and vampires. (Good advice for any night really.) Groups of trick-or-treaters can overwhelm even friendly pets. Plus, you might pass some creepy Halloween decorations that would make even the calmest among us jump out of our skin.

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Instead, take an earlier walk while it’s still light out, so your pet can see there are nice people inside those costumes. Or try a less-busy walking path; your pet will love investigating the new sights and smells. You always can take a night off and do playtime at home instead of a walk. And if you find yourself itching to get out but your pet would rather stay at home, head over to your local animal shelter to walk a dog or play with some kitties. They deserve a wicked good time just like everyone else on Halloween.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.