How to make Halloween pet-friendly

The long-anticipated spooky season is upon us! If you’re a fan of Halloween, you may have spent all year excitedly awaiting chilly weather, pumpkin-flavored treats, scary movies, costume parties, and other autumn hallmarks. But what may be a fun fall tradition for you can pose real risks to the health, safety, and well-being of your pet.

Don’t forget, your cat or dog doesn’t understand the context of the holiday. Decor, costumes, and visitors that you’ve been planning for months may be an overwhelming or frightening disruption of routine to your pet—some Halloween treats or events may even endanger your furry friend.

There’s nothing spookier than a lost or sick pet. When celebrating Halloween this year, keep the following tips in mind to ensure the holiday is safe and enjoyable for everyone, cats and dogs included.

1. Keep candy carefully stowed
A treat for you is a trick for them! Halloween candy is not safe for your pet to consume. If someone in your household goes Trick-or-Treating, make sure all their spoils are kept out of reach of pets, preferably in a closed cabinet or container that your pet cannot open. If you have candy to hand out to Trick-or-Treaters in your neighborhood, don’t leave it unattended where your pet can access it. Here’s a link to find out what’s poisonous for your pets!

2. Keep your pet(s) in a safe place
If you get Trick-or-Treaters in your neighborhood or plan to throw a Halloween party, your door might be opening and closing all night as you hand out candy or welcome guests, giving your pet ample opportunity to run outside. Even if your pet isn’t prone to escaping, the steady stream of strangers might frighten or distress them. If you’re expecting Trick-or-Treats or hosting a spooky soiree, keep your pet safe and comfortable by securing them in a separate room with the door closed. Make sure they have water and comforting, familiar objects such as a favorite bed, blanket or toy. Consider playing calming music in their room, and alert guests not to open their door.

3. Use caution with costumes
Your pet might look adorable in their Halloween costume, but that doesn’t mean they like it. An ill-fitting pet costume can be dangerous; when dressing up your pet, always check carefully to ensure the costume doesn’t restrict their airways or movement or cause excessive friction anywhere on their body. Make sure the costume doesn’t have any loose strings or small pieces that your pet could chew or choke on. And don’t forget, even if the costume fits properly, that doesn’t mean your pet likes wearing it. If you’re planning a costume for a specific, pet-friendly event, try the costume on your pet days or weeks in advance to give them plenty of time to get used to it. Pay attention to their cues; if your pet continually shows signs of distress while wearing the costume, don’t force them to wear it. Opt for a festive collar or harness instead. If you’re wearing a costume that contains small pieces or props, don’t leave them unattended where your pet could accidentally chew, break or swallow them.

4. Keep your pet(s) inside
Your dog or cat might enjoy walks outdoors on a leash or in a pet stroller, but with so many people out and about on Halloween wearing strange clothes and trailing dropped candy, it is best to leave them at home in a secure and comfortable room. If you must take your pet outside on Halloween, make sure their microchip information is up to date. Dress them in reflective gear and make sure they have clear identification on them. Watch them for any signs of discomfort or anxiety; if they start to act stressed, frightened or overwhelmed, take them home.

5. Be careful with decor
Carving jack-o-lanterns is a time-honored tradition, but don’t forget that fire and your furry friend don’t mix. Never leave a lit jack-o-lantern or seasonal candle unattended, especially around your pet. Decorations with wires, strings, or small pieces can also pose hazards if your pet chews on or swallows them. If you’re decorating for a specific party or event, consider putting up the decorations after you have secured your pet in their safe place (see tip number 2) and removing all decorations before letting your pet out. If you have seasonal decorations you want to leave up all month, make sure they’re out of your pet’s reach, or opt for pet-safe decorations.

Halloween doesn’t need to be scary. When you celebrate with your pets in mind, you can party to your heart’s content without risking their wellbeing.