Keep your pets safe from ‘fright night’

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Published Date 10/27/2023

All Hallows Eve. The Day of the Dead. Halloween. Whatever you like to call it, there are those who look forward to it with great gusto, decorating houses, going to parties, and preparing baskets full of goodies for spooky faces. Then there are those who keep their lights off or head to a movie.

But there is a third group few talk about: pets.

As much as their owners think of them as fellow revelers, many pets are stressed out by the Halloween tradition. If we recognize animals as individuals, consider it from a pet’s perspective: A dog’s natural instinct is to protect their home or to alert you that a stranger has arrived. Trick-or-treaters continually knocking on the door or ringing the bell can be very stressful to dogs. And cats? While they are masters at finding hiding places, they freak out too.

The ASPCA and AVMA (veterinarians) offer tips for keeping Halloween safe for pets, the first of which is to place your pet(s) in a quiet room, especially if they are prone to running out the front door or greeting every man, woman or child you open it to. “Consider putting them in the crate with a treat-filled toy and some soft music playing in the background. A spritz of a feline pheromone spray may help keep your cats calm,” they advise. “If possible, minimize noise by sitting outside to keep trick-or-treaters from knocking on the door or ringing the bell.”

They also suggest that even if you are just having friends over for a Halloween party, keep your pets away from the festivities in their safe room. “Masks and costumes change how people look and smell to a pet, so even familiar people may become frightening. Put a sign on the door to the safe room so your guests know it’s off-limits.” Even better, they advise you to introduce your pets to their safe room before you decorate indoors. Changes to your home can make your pets, especially cats, nervous or frightened. Or they may decide those fake spiders pose an existential threat and need to be killed.

When going out trick-or-treating, leave your dog at home. Dogs can be easily excited by the Halloween commotion, and a bite or a lost dog will quickly end the evening’s fun.

Both organizations consider Halloween candy a treat for you, but a trick for your pet(s). “Pre-Halloween and during trick-or-treating, keep candy safely stashed in a high cabinet secured with a lock or child-safety latch. Many foods, such as chocolate, gum and xylitol (a sweetener used in many foods) are hazardous to pets.” And monitor your kids as well. Children are unaware that candy is harmful to their pets. “Make sure they know the difference between a treat for them and a treat for their four-legged friends,” says the experts.

Keep your emergency vet’s number handy as well as that of the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline: 888-426-4435. If you suspect your pet has eaten something that's bad for them, call your veterinarian or the Poison Control Center immediately.

Some consider pumpkin good for dogs and cats, but too much can cause digestive issues, they advise. “Rotting pumpkins may harbor bad bacteria; keep jack o’lanterns safely away from becoming a holiday snack. Also be aware of which decorations pose threats, like lit candles (fire hazards and toxic to birds if scented). Other potentially dangerous decorations include rubber eyeballs (choking risk), glow sticks and fake blood (possible poisons), fake cobwebs (can choke or entangle pets and wildlife), potpourri (toxic to birds) and strung lights. Watch out for those candy wrappers and plastic packaging too!

Enjoy dressing your pet up for Halloween? Humans assume their pets love the attention, but consider your pet’s personality and what type of costume they may tolerate and for how long. Masks and hats that fit around the face, for example, may be OK for the length of time it takes to snap a quick pic, but they can pose dangers and make your pet feel uncomfortable. So keep pet costumes minimal. Keep an eye on your costumed pet to make sure the costume is comfortable and allows your pet to move freely. Also be sure to remove any chewable parts or objects that could come off and choke your pet. Even when swallowed completely, foreign objects can cause blockages in their intestinal tracts and create some serious medical issues. Signs of discomfort include folded down ears, eyes rolling back or looking sideways, a tucked tail or hunching over. Some simply freeze in place, as if they are being attacked. Don’t assume they will “get used to” being dressed up.

Both organizations advise making sure your pets are wearing tags with current IDs and that their microchip is registered with your most up-to-date information. Opening the door repeatedly for trick-or-treaters creates plenty of opportunities for a pet to slip outside and disappear into the night. Proper ID will help you reunite with your lost pet and take a recent picture of your pet that can be used for lost flyers just in case they get lost.

And they want you to be aware that other animals exist outside that don’t observe the evening’s festivities apart from foraging for food — such as raccoons, opossums and foxes. So while you’re trick-or-treating or walking from your car to a party, your pet may be at risk without even understanding how scary Halloween can truly be.

ASPCA, AVMA, TBWS

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