Tricks, Treats, and Tails: Pet Safety Tips for Halloween

From ghosts and ghouls to spiders and skeletons, Halloween is a bewitching time, full of fun and fright. But the spooky festivities should never come at the expense of your four-legged companions. So, how can you keep your pet safe from the extra dangers lurking in the shadows? Let’s dive into how to keep your pet safe during Halloween!

Tricks, Not Treats

One of the best parts of Halloween is the candy! Bags and buckets and pillowcases full of treats, enough to last at least a month! It’s important you do not allow pets top have access to candy, though—especially any sweets containing chocolate or the sweetener xylitol. These sweet treats can be harmful for cats and are especially harmful to dogs.

Chocolate caffeine and theobromine—stimulant chemicals that pets metabolize and eliminate differently compared to people. Depending on the type and amount consumed, risks of chocolate exposure could include gastrointestinal concerns, cardiac changes, neurologic signs like tremors, and seizures.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free foods, gum, and candies. Even in small exposures, xylitol consumption can cause different types of symptoms than chocolate. Ingesting xylitol can result in a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, seizures, and liver damage. The effects of xylitol may be limited to gastrointestinal upset in cats, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Beware of these other foods unsafe for pets that may pop up around spooky season:

• Grapes and raisins: These healthy Halloween foods can cause kidney damage and even kidney failure in dogs.
• Pumpkin seeds: While not toxic, these salty snacks can cause tummy troubles in small animals.
• Macadamia nuts: These nuts are highly toxic to dogs and eating even a small amount can cause weakness, tremors, and lethargy.
• Caramel/Candy apples: Not only is caramel far too sweet to feed your pet, but these and other treats are often packaged with small toys, sticks, ribbons, and other foreign body risks for pets.

Don’t forget about all the non-food trash that accompanies candy, such as wrappers and lollipop sticks. These can pose hazards both for choking and for gastrointestinal problems. Keep all holiday sweets away from your pet by storing them up high and in a closed container. And remember to stock up on some healthy pet treats so your four-legged friend can join in the frightful fun—without the risk.

Spooky, Stylish, Safe

Halloween costumes range from the frightening to the fantastical, from hilarious to horrifying, and everyone likes to join in the fun. Some pets love the limelight, while others prefer their birthday suits. Dress up your pet only if you're sure they'll enjoy it.

Here are a few basic rules to help keep your pet safe:

• Ensure your pet’s costume doesn’t restrict their movement, hearing, or breathing. They should be able to bark or meow comfortably. Let them try on the costume in advance, and if they seem distressed, it’s best to skip the outfit.
• Check for small, dangling, or chewable pieces that could pose a choking hazard or foreign body obstruction risk. Ill-fitting outfits can get caught on objects, leading to injury. Never leave a costumed pet unattended.
• With all the extra people and strange costumes around on Halloween, pets can easily get spooked. If you take your pet out after dark, make sure they wear a reflective collar, are securely leashed, and have proper identification to keep them safe if they try to run.

Even if your dog or cat is used to wearing pet clothing, it’s a good idea to try their costume on prior to the big night. Your friend will need some time to get used to the costume before they’re surrounded by all the extra people and the excitement spooky season brings. If your pet seems at all uncomfortable during your dress rehearsal, it’s probably best to ditch the costume. While it may be disappointing, your pet's health and comfort should be your top priority.

Beware of Haunted Decorations

Seasonal décor can add some extra spook to your home, but it can also lead to potential pet hazards. Be especially careful with the following:

• Jack-o-lanterns: Curious kittens and puppies may knock these over, causing burns or fires.
• Loud or flashing decorations: These can startle your pet or cause anxiety.
• Twinkling lights: Keep wires away from pets who like to chew.
• Dry ice: This can damage their skin or cause oral frostbite if your pet attempts to consume it.
• Glow sticks: Though serious problems are not expected, glow sticks have a bitter taste that can upset your pet’s stomach and cause gastric distress. Dermal irritation is also possible if the liquid gets on the skin, and ingesting plastic poses foreign body risks.

You also want to stay away from plastic skeletons and spiders, cobwebs, or other decorations that have small components your dog or cat could swallow. Keeping your décor pet-friendly ensures that everyone, including your furry companions, enjoys a safe and happy Halloween.

Protect Your Boo: Tips for a Howl-Free Night

It’s not uncommon for our canine and feline companions to feel anxious during trick-or-treat time. After all, the doorbell is ringing all night, and strangers dressed in bizarre clothing are coming and going. To keep them calm, safe, and secure, here are a few things you can do when it comes to trick-or-treating.

Before Trick-or-Treating

Double check that they’re wearing proper, up-to-date identification (collar with ID tags). If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, the holiday season is a good time to consider it!

As a safety measure, it’s smart to prepare a list of emergency numbers to keep in plain sight, including:

• Your veterinarian
• 24-Hour emergency pet care center
• Your local animal shelter
• The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435

If you live in a neighborhood where trick-or-treating is popular, chances are you’ll be opening the door often throughout the evening. Make sure you have barriers in place, such as pet gates placed throughout the house, if you want to keep your pet away from the candy-filled action.

During Trick-or-Treating

Some animals can become frightened by the activity generated by an entire evening of multiple strangers dropping by in crazy costumes. Separating an anxious pet isn’t just being neighborly—it also reduces unneeded stress on your animal.

Here’s what to do during trick-or-treating hours:

• Choose a quiet room away from the front door that your dog can stay in with the door closed if possible. Keep them in their crate if it will help them feel more secure.
• If they’ll still have visual access to the trick-or-treaters, close the blinds or curtains to block out the sight of strangers in costumes, which can be unsettling for some pets.
• Give them access to their favorite toys, bed, and fresh water.
• Play soft music or white noise, which can help drown out the noise of visitors and calm your pet.
• If you know certain stimuli, like the doorbell, particularly upset your pet, consider sitting outside to hand out candy or placing a sign asking trick-or-treaters to knock softly.
• Check- in regularly on your pet, offering comfort and treats.
• Reward them for calm behavior with treats and praise, using positive reinforcement to show them there’s nothing to be afraid of.

If you do choose to have your dog or cat by your side to greet trick-or-treaters, keep them on a leash or set up gates in your home to prevent them from running out the door. Keep in mind, some pets can be seasoned escape artists, so the door (and your pet) should be monitored closely.

Preventing Ghostly Getaways: ID Tags and Visibility

Is your pet joining you for trick-or-treating? Be sure their costume includes proper ID! If you become separated from them or they escape through an open door, a current microchip or updated identification tag can make the challenge of reuniting pets and their parents much easier.

Also, if you plan to be out after dark, make sure your pet is wearing something reflective, whether it be a costume, vest, leash, or collar. This can help minimize the risk of being struck by a car while you’re moving from house to house.

Scaredy Cat Safety

Halloween brings more than just candy and costumes. It's a time with greater distraction than a normal day, when getting out of the house may risk injury by passing cars or other animals.

For your cat's safety, make it a priority to absolutely keep them indoors at all times throughout Halloween week. The risks are simply too high to ignore. Remember, what some may see as a prank could have devastating consequences for your pet.

From avoiding toxic treats to dressing your pet in comfy costumes and keeping them calm during trick-or-treating, these simple precautions can help protect your best four-legged friends and make Halloween a howling good time for you and your boo.

And remember, no matter how prepared you are for the holiday, accidents can still happen. An ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance plan can help cover those scary bills from even scarier vet visits — because you and your pet deserve treats, not tricks!

Happy haunting!

_{An ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance plan can help you with eligible costs for covered conditions like surgery expenses for accidents and help provide peace of mind that your pet can receive the care they need. Check out our online resources to learn more about your insurance options and get a free quote today. The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.}

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