Halloween Pet Safety: Keeping Your Pets Calm and Safe This Year

Halloween is great fun for us. Pumpkins, costumes, sweets and a doorbell that rings every five minutes. For our pets, though, it can be one of the most confusing and stressful nights of the year. With half term, National Black Cat Day on Tuesday 27 October and Halloween itself on Saturday 31 October all landing in the same week, here is our guide to Halloween pet safety.

Halloween Pet Safety: Keep the Treats Out of Reach

Halloween sweets are the biggest risk for most households. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats, and dark chocolate is the most dangerous of all. Many sugar free sweets and chewing gums contain xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs even in small amounts.

The trouble is that sweets end up everywhere at Halloween. In trick or treat buckets on the floor, in coat pockets, in bowls by the door. Keep them all well out of reach, and remind children not to share their haul with the dog. If you think your pet has eaten something they should not have, ring your vet straight away. It is the single most important Halloween pet safety rule.

Decorations and Halloween Pet Safety

Pumpkins and Candles

A lit pumpkin at nose height is an accident waiting to happen for a curious dog or a cat with a waggy tail. Use battery powered candles instead, and keep real flames well away from pets.

Dangly Decorations

Fake cobwebs, streamers and hanging decorations look very much like toys to a cat. If swallowed, they can cause blockages in the gut. Hang decorations up high, and tidy away anything that has fallen down.

Glow Sticks

Glow sticks are a favourite for trick or treating, and a favourite for dogs to chew. The liquid inside is not usually highly toxic, but it tastes horrible and can cause drooling and distress. Keep them away from pets and dispose of them carefully.

Costumes: Does Your Pet Really Want to Dress Up?

We know a pumpkin outfit on a dachshund is very cute, but costumes are a Halloween pet safety issue too. The PDSA’s Halloween advice is clear that most pets find costumes stressful rather than fun. If you do want a photo, keep it quick, make sure nothing restricts movement, breathing or vision, and take it off straight afterwards.

Trick or Treaters and the Doorbell

For a lot of dogs, the real stress of Halloween is the endless stream of strangers in masks at the door.

A few simple Halloween pet safety steps help:

• Walk your dog before dark, before the trick or treaters come out
• Set up a quiet room away from the front door with their bed and toys
• Close curtains and put the radio or television on to mask the noise
• Leave a bowl of sweets outside so fewer people ring the bell
• Keep your dog away from the door, so they cannot slip out

With the clocks having gone back on 25 October, it will be dark by teatime, so plan the walk earlier than you might think.

National Black Cat Day and Halloween

National Black Cat Day falls on 27 October, just ahead of Halloween, and it is a lovely excuse to celebrate our black cats. Cats Protection started the day to raise awareness that black and black and white cats often wait longer to find new homes than other cats.

Keep Cats Indoors on Halloween

Whatever colour your cat is, keeping them in is one of the easiest Halloween pet safety wins. The noise, strangers and the first fireworks of the season can frighten cats, and a frightened cat can run a long way. Bring them in before dusk, give them a litter tray and let them hide wherever they feel safe. Moving their evening meal a little earlier is a handy way to get them home in time.

Half Term Away? Plan Your Pet Care Now

Lots of families head away for October half term, and Halloween weekend often falls right in the middle of it. If you will be out at a party or away from home, our pet sitting and cat sitting services keep your pets safe and settled at home. For dogs, our dog home boarding and dog day care offer a calm alternative to a noisy house. Knowing your pets are in safe hands is part of good Halloween pet safety too.

We Love Pets Is Here to Help

A little Halloween pet safety planning goes a long way, and means everyone in the house can enjoy the night. If you would like a hand this half term, find your local We Love Pets branch and see who covers your area.

And if you would love a job where every day involves pets, take a look at our franchise opportunities.