From carving pumpkins to trick-or-treating, Halloween is a chance for families to make memories together. While the excitement can be great fun for us, it can sometimes be a little overwhelming for our pets. We want you and your children to enjoy the celebrations while helping your four-legged family members stay safe, relaxed and comfortable too.
Some pets are happy with the extra activity. Others would rather curl up somewhere quiet. A few simple steps can help you look after them while enjoying the celebrations…
Keep chocolate and sweets out of reach
Treat bowls and trick-or-treat bags can be tempting for curious pets. Some of the things inside can be dangerous:
- Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats: Dark chocolate and cocoa powder carry a greater risk, but milk chocolate can also cause poisoning.
- Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs: Found in some sugar-free sweets and chewing gum, this sweetener can cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver damage. It may also be called birch sugar.
- Raisins are poisonous to dogs: They can cause kidney failure. This includes chocolate-covered raisins.
It’s best to keep treats in a closed cupboard, watch any bowls left out for visitors and put children’s sweet bags away afterwards.
Explain to children that while it can be tempting to share treats with a much-loved pet, some Halloween sweets can make them very poorly. If they want to include them, help them offer a small amount of their usual pet-safe treats instead.
Clear up wrappers and watch decorations
Curious noses and paws often investigate anything new, so a few simple checks can help keep your pet safe while the decorations are up.
- Bin sweet wrappers and lollipop sticks: They can cause a gut blockage if swallowed, so put them straight into a bin your pet cannot open.
- Hang decorations out of reach: Ribbon, string and artificial cobwebs can be harmful if swallowed. Remember that cats may climb onto furniture to reach them.
- Keep glow sticks and batteries safely away: Glow-stick liquid can irritate your pet’s mouth, while chewed or swallowed batteries can cause serious burns.
Use candles without a flame
A glowing pumpkin is a Halloween favourite, but a real candle can quickly become a hazard for curious pets, whether that’s a singed whisker, burned nose or a wagging tail knocking it over. Battery-operated candles are a great alternative, but remember to keep them and their batteries out of reach.
And on the topic of pumpkins, we recommend throwing them away before they start to rot, as eating mouldy pumpkin can make pets rather unwell.
Make a quiet space for your pet
Doorbells, excited children and unfamiliar costumes can unsettle pets, even those who usually enjoy visitors. Before the evening gets busy, give them somewhere quiet to settle, away from the front door. Include their bed, fresh water and a favourite toy. Cats should also have a litter tray and somewhere to hide.
It can be worth closing the curtains and putting on the television or some gentle music to soften outside noise. You can also ask children and visitors to let your pet rest if they’ve taken themselves away.
If they come to you for comfort, reassure them. They don’t need to be part of the excitement to enjoy the evening. Many pets are happiest simply relaxing somewhere calm and familiar.
If your pet finds Halloween particularly stressful, speak to our team. Every pet is different, and we’d be happy to help you plan ways to make the evening as comfortable as possible for them.
Take care around the front door
With excited visitors arriving throughout the evening, it’s surprisingly easy for pets to slip outside unnoticed. Keep them away from the entrance when answering the door and remind family and visitors to keep doors closed. Check that your pet’s microchip contact details are up to date too.
Walk your dog before trick-or-treating gets busy. If your cat usually goes outside, encourage them home before dark and make sure they have everything they need indoors.
Put your pet’s comfort first when dressing up
Pet costumes can be fun for photos, but it’s always worth thinking about whether your pet would actually enjoy wearing one. Any outfit should let them move, see, hear and breathe freely, with no loose parts they could chew or swallow.
If they seem worried, try to remove it or behave differently, take it off straight away. Their safety and comfort should always come first.
Your own costume might unsettle them too. Give them space if they seem unsure and let them choose whether to come closer.
We’re here if things take a spooky turn
Even the most careful pet owners can have the occasional Halloween mishap. If you’re worried that your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, please contact us straight away, even if they seem perfectly normal at the time.
Signs of poisoning or a blockage can take time to appear. Please don’t wait for your pet to become unwell. Call us so we can assess the risk and arrange for you to bring them in for a check and any treatment they need.
Keep any packaging and tell us what they ate, roughly how much and when. Don’t try to make them sick or give home remedies unless a veterinary professional tells you to.
We hope you, your family and your pets have a safe and happy Halloween. If you have any concerns, no matter how small they may seem, please give us a call. Our team is always here to help and advise when you need us:
St Kitts Vets Hartley Wintney: 01252 844044
St Kitts Vets Basingstoke: 01256 844944
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
