Halloween Pet Safety Tips: Keep Your Furry Friends Safe This Spooky Season
Halloween is a spook-tacularly fun time filled with costumes, candy, and celebration, but it can also bring hidden dangers for our pets. As you prepare for the festivities, don’t forget to keep your furry family members safe from some of the season’s most common hazards.
Here are a few tricks to watch out for and treats your pet can safely enjoy this Halloween!
TRICKS: Watch Out for These Halloween Pet Dangers!
Glow Sticks: Glow sticks are fun for kids and help keep them visible in the dark, but they can pose a danger to curious pets. Cats, especially, may be tempted to chew on them. While most glow sticks are labeled non-toxic, the liquid inside tastes extremely bitter and can cause your pet to drool, gag, or run around frantically.
Candy: Candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for pets! Many popular Halloween sweets are toxic to dogs and cats.
Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate, can cause vomiting, rapid breathing, and even heart issues.
Sugar-free candies often contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can cause life-threatening drops in blood sugar, seizures, and liver damage in dogs. Keep all candy bowls and treat bags out of paws’ reach, and watch out for these other Halloween hazards:
Grapes & raisins: Can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Pumpkin seeds: Not toxic, but salty versions can upset tummies.
Macadamia nuts: Highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.
Caramel or candy apples: Too sugary for pets and often contain sticks, ribbons, or small toys that can cause choking.
If you think your pet may have eaten something toxic, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Small Toys & Costume Accessories: Those cute costume props or small plastic toys can look like chewable fun to pets,but they’re choking hazards and can cause internal blockages. Keep them safely out of reach.
Haunted Decorations: Halloween decorations set the mood, but they can also spook or harm pets:
Jack-o-lanterns: Curious pets can knock them over and get burned.
Flashing or loud decorations: These can trigger stress or anxiety.
Dry ice: Can cause frostbite or internal injury if touched or eaten.
TREATS: Safe Halloween Fun for Pets!
Pet-Safe Treats: Your pet deserves a Halloween treat, too! Look for pet-safe snacks made with natural ingredients like pumpkin or peanut butter. Always check labels and avoid anything with artificial sweeteners or chocolate.
Need ideas? Check out our pet-safe treat recipe blog post for a fun DIY snack!Pet Costumes (Done Safely!): Dressing up your pet can be adorable, if they’re comfortable with it. Before the big night:
Make sure the costume doesn’t restrict movement, vision, or breathing.
Avoid small or dangling pieces that can be chewed off.
Let your pet try it on beforehand so they can get used to it. If your pet seems stressed, skip the costume and opt for a festive collar or bandana instead.
Pet Identification: With all the excitement and extra people out and about, Halloween is one of the most common times for pets to get lost. Make sure your pet wears a secure collar with up-to-date ID tags. You can also make sure their microchip information is current, or get them microchipped before the holiday. It’s quick, easy, and can make all the difference if your pet ever goes missing. Call the HART Animal Center at 301.387.7729 to schedule a microchip appointment today.
Have a Fun and Safe Halloween!
By taking a few precautions, you can ensure your pets enjoy a safe and stress-free Halloween. For more information about HART for Animals, our programs, or ways to support our mission, visit www.hartforanimals.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/HARTforAnimals.
Let’s make this Halloween spook-tacularly safe for all our furry friends!