Halloween Safety Tips

We've put together this list of tips to keep your cat, dog, or other pets safe during this haunted holiday.

DO protect pets from pranks. Don’t leave animals unattended outdoors on Halloween, the day before, or the day after. Cruel pranksters can hurt your animals, especially black cats.

DON’T feed candy to animals. Treats that are delicious for children and adults can be harmful or fatal to pets. They can choke on the wrappers, and chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

DO keep pets away from lit pumpkins. Spooky colored candles and jack o’ lanterns can singe pets’ noses and light fur on fire. Keep animals and lit objects apart. This goes for artificial lights as well, such as electric votives and glow sticks. If ingested, glow sticks can cause pain and irritation, as well as profuse drooling and foaming in the mouth.

DON’T put a reluctant pet in a Halloween costume. Some pets don’t mind a few Halloween accessories but don’t force an anxious animal into an outfit. Make sure any Halloween clothes let your pet breathe, hear, see, and move freely.

DO license your pet early. You can do your best to keep your pet indoors this Halloween, but your cat or dog may speed past a gaggle of candy-seeking kids into the night. Be sure you’ve registered your pet with the city and attached up-to-date identification tags to your pet’s collar.

DON’T mix pets and trick-or-treaters at the front door. Cats and dogs can frighten children, and vice versa. Put your pets behind a closed door when costumed kids come knocking. This will also prevent your pet from bolting outside during the many times the front door is opened and closed.

IF YOU WON'T BE HOME with your pet(s) this Halloween, be sure they’re comfortable in the house. There may be a lot of doorbell ringing, screaming children and noises that can spook pets. Consider keeping cats and dogs in rooms in the back of the house and turning on some background noise like a radio or TV.

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