Halloween Safety Tips Every Pet Owner Should Know

Boo! This Halloween, make sure that the fun spirit of the season is all that sneaks up on you—not scary pet emergencies. Check out these tips for keeping your pets safe on Halloween.

Sweets and Treats Safety

Among the most well-known pet safety tips for the spooky season are those surrounding candy. Chocolate is an oft-discussed Halloween pet hazard because it contains caffeine and theobromine, along with fats and sugar. So chocolate can cause anything from stomach upset to seizures and death. Other candy and goodie ingredients, like some nuts and artificial sweeteners, can lead to emergency situations, too.

And don’t forget about lollipop sticks and candy wrappers, which can cause choking or intestinal blockage emergencies. Your best bet to avoid food-related Halloween pet hazards is to stick to pet food and treats only. If you want to give your dog the chance to indulge along with you, offer one of their regular treats while you enjoy that candy bar!

Dogs and Decorations

Dogs—especially puppies—are super curious and playful, and dangling spiders, rolly-polly pumpkins, and hanging bats can look an awful lot like dog toys. A pet-friendly Halloween means keeping those temptations out of reach. Not only can a fun-loving pooch wreck your carefully planned decorations, but they can also experience injury or choking if they chomp on the wrong item. String lights and candles also present shock or burn hazards. Supervise your dog closely and keep those items away to best protect your pets during Halloween.

Dress-Up Dangers

Not much is cuter than a dachshund in a hot dog suit or a French poodle in a beret! But first and foremost, your pup needs to feel comfortable and safe in any costume. If your dog keeps their head down, ears drooped, and tail tucked, those are all sure signs that they don’t like to play dress-up. In that case, a Halloween-themed bandana might be a better way to go.

If your canine does enjoy costumes, be sure to choose outfits without prominent zippers, buttons, or fringe that can be chewed off and lead to choking or blockage hazards. Costumes should also fit securely to avoid:

• Obstructing breathing
• Causing a tripping hazard
• Blocking your dog’s vision
• Impairing movement for walking or eliminating

Preventing Pet Escapes

Each time you open the door for a trick-or-treating superhero or witch, you could be facing a great pet escape. Therefore, you should secure your dog or cat in a room away from the front door so they won’t bolt out into the night in all that candy-fueled excitement. Similarly, if you take your dog along for trick-or-treat adventures, make sure the leash is secure at all times. Whether you’re handing out candy or strolling through the neighborhood, your dog should have proper ID tags on. You should also talk to your vet to make sure that an updated microchip is in place to help you and your dog be more easily reunited if they do get out on the spookiest night of the year.

In Case of Pet Emergency

Even with the most careful planning and preparation, you may still find yourself in a pet emergency situation. Keep some important info stored in your phone or other convenient location, just in case:

• Phone number and address for the closest animal emergency hospital
• Pet Poison Helpline and ASPCA Pet Poison Control contact info
• Basic details about your dog’s breed, age, and approximate weight
• Your dog’s chronic conditions or regular medications
• A note app or a pen and paper for any instructions given by emergency or poison control staff

If you’re heading out of town for the fall holidays, The Bark Park Pet Resort and Daycare can care for your dog while you’re away. Or, if your little ghoulie just needs to run amok during the day to bust the boredom, our daycare could be just the treat they need! Contact us at 

(916) 459-3030 for more information, and have a Happy Howl-o-ween!