Keeping Your Pets Safe This Halloween

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year, full of costumes, candy, and spooky fun—but for pets, it can be confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes even dangerous. Between the decorations, the doorbell, and all that chocolate, it’s a night that needs just a little extra attention from pet parents to keep things calm and safe.

A Safe Halloween Starts Here

Let’s start with the biggest temptation of all: candy. While we enjoy our treats, chocolate and anything made with xylitol (a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum and candies) can be extremely toxic to dogs and cats. Even small amounts can cause serious health problems. The best approach is to keep the candy bowl well out of reach and remind children not to share their treats with pets, no matter how cute those begging eyes are.

Then there are the decorations. Pets are naturally curious, and new objects around the house can look like toys or snacks. Electric cords for lights, glow sticks, fake cobwebs, and candles in pumpkins all pose risks if chewed or knocked over. Try to decorate in ways that don’t put these items where a pet can get to them—or stick to battery-operated candles for a safer glow.

Costumes are another fun part of Halloween, but not every pet enjoys dressing up. If your pet loves the attention and doesn’t mind a simple outfit, that’s great—but make sure it fits comfortably and doesn’t block movement, vision, or breathing. For pets who dislike wearing anything, a festive collar or bandana is a perfect alternative.

Noise, Action, Calamity!

The biggest stressor for many pets, though, is trick-or-treat night itself. The constant ringing of the doorbell, people in masks, and the general excitement can make even a calm animal anxious. If your pet gets nervous around strangers or noise, set them up in a quiet room away from the front door. Turn on the TV or play soothing music to muffle the sounds, and give them their favorite blanket or toy. It’s also a good idea to walk dogs early in the evening before the activity begins, so they can relax later.

Pre-Planning for Safety

Finally, before the big night arrives, check that your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are current. If they do happen to slip out during all the excitement, this increases the chances they’ll be returned safely to you. Let's ;make this a safe Halloween for you and your pet.

Halloween is meant to be fun for the whole family—including our furry family members. With just a little planning, you can make sure it’s full of treats, not tricks, for your pets.

Happy Halloween from all of us at Your Furry Godmothers LLC!