From trick-or-treaters and spooky costumes to tempting sweets and seasonal decorations, Halloween can bring unexpected hazards for our four-legged friends.
For cats and dogs, unfamiliar visitors, increased noise and changes to routine can leave even normally confident pets feeling unsettled. There are also practical safety risks to consider, making a little forward planning particularly important.
“Halloween is great fun for families, but for our pets it can be a very different experience,” explains Dr Lauren Davis, Veterinary Advisor at Closer Pets. “A little preparation can make a big difference. Thinking about the evening from your pet’s perspective and giving them somewhere safe and familiar to retreat to can help avoid any unnecessary scares.”
With this in mind, Dr Davis shares six simple ways to help keep cats and dogs safe and settled throughout the celebrations.
1. Create a calm, comfortable space
Frequent knocks at the door, increased noise and unfamiliar visitors can be unsettling, particularly for nervous or sensitive pets.
If your pet is likely to feel anxious, prepare a quiet, comfortable space away from the front door, with familiar blankets, favourite toys and treats.
For particularly sensitive pets, leaving sweets outside for trick-or-treaters can help reduce repeated knocks and doorbell rings. Having someone they know nearby can also provide reassurance, while nervous dogs may benefit from calming aids such as pheromone diffusers.
2. Keep exits secure
With the front door opening more frequently than usual, it's important to make sure curious cats and dogs can't slip outside unnoticed.
Keep pets safely away from the entrance and, if you have a pet access door, consider locking it throughout the evening.
It's also worth checking that ID tags are secure and contact details registered against your pet's microchip are up to date, so you can be contacted quickly should they manage to escape.
3. Think twice about costumes
While dressing your pet up might make for a cute Halloween photograph, not every cat or dog enjoys wearing a costume.
Outfits can restrict movement, vision or breathing, while loose accessories may pose a choking hazard. If your pet seems uncomfortable, it's best to leave the fancy dress to the humans.
Remember, too, that our own costumes can be unsettling, particularly those that cover our faces and make us difficult to recognise.
4. Keep Halloween treats out of reach
Halloween wouldn't be quite the same without a few sweet treats, but what's delicious for us can be dangerous for our pets.
Chocolate and other sweets intended for humans can be harmful to cats and dogs, so keep them safely out of reach and remind children not to share their Halloween haul.
Be particularly careful with products containing xylitol, also known as birch sugar, which is highly toxic to dogs. Discarded wrappers and packaging can also cause problems if swallowed.
Instead, keep some pet-safe treats to hand so your four-legged friends don't have to miss out entirely.
5. Plan walks carefully
If your dog enjoys an evening walk, consider heading out before trick-or-treating gets into full swing.
Busy streets, excited children, unusual costumes and unfamiliar noises can be overwhelming, even for normally confident dogs.
Keep nervous or easily startled dogs on a lead, give busy groups plenty of space and watch out for dropped sweets and wrappers along your route.
Cats that usually enjoy exploring outdoors may also be safer staying inside during the busiest part of the evening.
6. Choose pet-friendly decorations
From glowing pumpkins to spooky cobwebs, Halloween decorations are all part of the fun. But some can present unexpected hazards for curious pets.
Fake cobwebs, small plastic props, rubber eyeballs and glow sticks can cause problems if swallowed, while large pieces of raw pumpkin can be difficult to digest.
Candles also pose a burn and fire risk, so keep displays safely out of reach and consider battery-operated alternatives.
Giving pets something positive to focus on can help too. Puzzle feeders, lick mats and interactive toys are great ways to keep them happily occupied.
And if you'd like to add a little seasonal fun to your pet's surroundings, our Pet Door Decorations, available in playful ghost and pumpkin designs, offer a simple way to give their entrance a Halloween makeover.
A final word from Dr Davis; “Halloween doesn’t have to be stressful for pets. Keeping things as familiar as possible, removing potential hazards and giving them somewhere quiet to retreat to can go a long way towards helping them feel safe and settled while the rest of the family enjoys the celebrations.”