Halloween Safety for Dogs and Cats: Candy, Costumes and More

Halloween is hard on pets for two main reasons: food they should not eat, and a night of noise, strangers and an open front door. The biggest risks are chocolate, sugar-free candy that contains xylitol, raisins, wrappers that can block the gut, and pets slipping out while you hand out treats. Most problems are preventable with a little planning, and if your pet does eat something, a quick call to your vet or a poison line is the right first step.

The short answer

• Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats; dark and baking chocolate are worst.
• Xylitol in sugar-free candy and gum is an emergency for dogs.
• Raisins, including chocolate-covered ones, can harm a dog's kidneys.
• Wrappers and lollipop sticks can cause a blockage.
• Glow sticks cause drooling but are usually not seriously toxic.
• Costumes should fit loosely and be skipped if your pet is stressed.
• Keep pets indoors and away from the door, with ID tags and microchip details current.
• If your pet ate candy, note what, how much, when and your pet's weight, then call your vet or a poison line.

Which Halloween candy is dangerous for dogs and cats?

Most of the risk sits in the candy bowl. For a fuller list beyond Halloween, see our guide to foods toxic to dogs and cats.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs and cats process slowly. Signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, a fast heart rate, tremors and, in serious cases, seizures. The darker and less sweetened the chocolate, the more dangerous it is, so dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the worst, while milk chocolate is less concentrated. The amount that matters depends on the type of chocolate and your pet's size, which is why your vet will ask for both.

Xylitol in sugar-free candy and gum

Xylitol is a sweetener found in some sugar-free gum, mints, candy and baked goods. In dogs it can trigger a rapid release of insulin, leading to dangerously low blood sugar, and it has also been linked to liver failure. Signs such as weakness, wobbling, vomiting or collapse can appear quickly. If your dog ate anything labeled sugar-free, check the ingredients and call for advice right away, even if your dog seems fine.

Raisins and chocolate-covered raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney injury in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. Chocolate-covered raisins combine two problems in one treat.

Is candy corn bad for dogs?

Candy corn is mostly sugar and corn syrup. It is not considered toxic the way chocolate or xylitol is, but a large amount can cause vomiting, diarrhea and a sore stomach, and very sugary, fatty treats may contribute to pancreatitis in some dogs.

Wrappers and lollipop sticks

Foil and plastic wrappers, lollipop sticks and small toys from party bags can lodge in the stomach or intestines. Watch for repeated vomiting, a reduced appetite, straining, a tender belly or lethargy over the next few days. If you know your pet swallowed a stick or a large amount of packaging, call your vet even before signs appear.

Are glow sticks dangerous if my cat bit one?

Glow sticks and glow jewelry usually contain a liquid called dibutyl phthalate. The liquid tastes extremely bitter, so a pet that bites one usually drools heavily, foams at the mouth, shakes its head or acts agitated. It looks alarming but is usually not seriously toxic. Gently rinse your pet's mouth with water or offer a small amount of food or water to help clear the taste, and wipe any liquid off the fur so it is not groomed off later. If your pet swallowed pieces of plastic, keeps vomiting or seems unwell beyond the initial reaction, call your vet.

Halloween dangers for pets at a glance

My dog ate Halloween candy. What should I do?

1. Work out what was eaten. Check the label for chocolate type, xylitol (or "sugar-free"), raisins and nuts.
2. Estimate how much and when it was eaten. Count missing pieces or wrappers if you can.
3. Know your pet's weight, even roughly. The same amount affects a small dog very differently from a large one.
4. Call your vet or a poison line. In the US, you can contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline (both may charge a consultation fee). Elsewhere, call your vet or the nearest emergency clinic.
5. Do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.
6. Follow the advice you are given and keep the packaging to show your vet. Watch for vomiting, shaking, weakness, a swollen belly or changes in behavior over the next day or two.

If you are unsure whether your dog is unwell, our guide to signs your dog is in pain can help you know what to look for.

Are Halloween costumes safe for pets?

A costume can be fine for a relaxed pet, but it should never come at the cost of comfort or safety. Choose costumes that:

• Fit loosely enough to move, sit and lie down normally.
• Leave the nose, mouth, eyes and ears free.
• Have no small parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.
• Are only worn while you are watching.

Look at your pet's body language. Flattened ears, a tucked tail, freezing, hiding, lip licking or trying to remove the costume are signs of stress. If your pet is not comfortable, skip the costume.

How do I keep my pet calm with trick-or-treaters?

A ringing doorbell, strangers in masks and an open door are stressful, and the open door is an escape risk.

• Set up a quiet room away from the front door with water, a bed, toys and some background noise.
• Keep pets indoors on Halloween night, and walk dogs earlier in the evening before trick-or-treating starts.
• Use a gate, crate or closed door so your pet cannot slip out while you hand out candy.
• Check ID tags are on and readable, and make sure microchip details are current, including your phone number and address.

Should I keep my black cat inside on Halloween?

Many shelters and vets commonly advise keeping all cats, and black cats in particular, indoors in the days around Halloween. More noise and people outside raise the chance of a frightened cat running off or being harassed.

Are candles, jack-o'-lanterns and decorations a risk?

Lit candles in jack-o'-lanterns can burn curious noses and paws, singe a wagging tail or start a fire if knocked over. Battery-powered or LED candles are a safer choice anywhere pets can reach.

Decorations bring their own problems. Fake cobwebs can tangle around legs and necks or be swallowed, especially by cats. Small props and chewed light cords are also risks. Hang decorations high, tuck cords away and skip loose cobweb material if you have a cat that likes string.

Can dogs and cats eat pumpkin and corn?

Plain cooked pumpkin is generally fine for dogs and cats in small amounts. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices. A carved jack-o'-lantern that has been sitting out for days is different: it can grow mold, which can upset the stomach and in some cases cause tremors. Throw old pumpkins away before they start to soften.

Decorative corn and corn cobs are a common problem for dogs. Plain corn kernels are not toxic, but a chewed corn cob can cause an intestinal blockage, so keep cobs and decorative corn out of reach.

Using PetVitals around Halloween

If your pet eats something they should not, log it in PetVitals right away: what it was, roughly how much, and the time. Add any symptoms as they appear so you have a clear timeline and a note ready to share with your vet or a poison line. You can also set a reminder to check your pet's ID tag and microchip details before Halloween night.

PetVitals is available on the App Store and Google Play if you would like a calm place to keep it all.