Halloween Pet Safety: Keeping Your Dog Safe During the Spookiest Night of the Year

Halloween is supposed to be a little scary.

Your dog's Halloween doesn't have to be.

Between bowls of candy, costumes, decorations, trick-or-treaters, and a front door that seems to open every two minutes, Halloween introduces a few hazards that aren't part of your dog's normal routine.

A little preparation can help keep the evening fun for everyone—including the four-legged members of the family.

Keep the Candy Out of Reach

Most dogs don't need an invitation to investigate a bowl full of interesting smells.

Unfortunately, some of our favorite Halloween treats can be dangerous for them.

Chocolate is toxic to dogs, with dark and baking chocolate posing a particularly high risk. Sugar-free candy and gum may contain xylitol, which can cause a dangerous drop in a dog's blood sugar and, in larger exposures, liver failure. Raisins are another serious concern because they can cause kidney failure in dogs.

And it isn't only what's inside the wrapper. Dogs who swallow candy wrappers, foil, or lollipop sticks can develop an intestinal obstruction.

The easiest solution? Keep the candy somewhere your dog truly can't reach it—not just at the back of the coffee table where you're hoping they won't notice.

Think Twice Before Dressing Up Your Dog

Some dogs seem to genuinely enjoy dressing up.

Others would very much like us to stop.

If your dog is comfortable wearing a costume, make sure it fits properly and doesn't restrict movement, vision, or breathing. Watch for dangling pieces or small accessories that could be chewed or swallowed, and don't leave a costumed dog unattended.

And if your dog looks uncomfortable?

Skip it.

A Halloween bandana or festive collar can be just as cute—and your dog may be considerably happier about the arrangement.

The Front Door May Be the Biggest Halloween Surprise

Halloween night means doorbells, knocking, excited children, unfamiliar voices, masks, costumes, and a door that opens over and over again.

Even a dog who normally loves visitors may find all that activity overwhelming.

It also creates plenty of opportunities for a dog to slip through an open door.

If your dog gets excited, nervous, or overly curious when people arrive, consider setting them up in a comfortable room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating. Give them their bed, water, and something enjoyable to do, such as a favorite toy or food puzzle.

That's not excluding them from the fun.

It's giving them a place where they can relax while the humans answer the door for the 47th time.

Check the Collar and ID Before Halloween Night

Even if your dog isn't going anywhere, Halloween is a good time to make sure their identification is current.

More people are outside, costumes and unusual noises can startle dogs, and doors and gates may be opening more frequently than usual.

If you do take your dog outside after dark, keep them securely leashed and consider reflective gear so they're easier to see. Make sure they're wearing current identification as well.

Hopefully you'll never need it.

Halloween is just not the night to discover that the phone number on your dog's tag is three years out of date.

Decorations Deserve a Dog-Safety Check Too

That Halloween display may look fantastic to you.

Your dog may see an assortment of brand-new things to sniff, chew, knock over, or drag across the room.

Keep electrical cords and wires out of reach, and be particularly careful with candles and lit jack-o'-lanterns. Pets can knock them over, creating a burn or fire risk. Small decorations and costume accessories can also become choking hazards.

Before Halloween night, take a quick look around your home from your dog's perspective.

If it's dangling, glowing, moving, edible-looking, or sitting at nose level, there's a decent chance somebody is going to investigate it.

Know Your Dog

Some dogs would happily spend Halloween greeting every princess, superhero, and six-year-old dinosaur who comes to the door.

Others would prefer absolutely none of this.

Both are okay.

Pay attention to what your dog is telling you. If they're trying to retreat, becoming unusually restless, barking excessively, or otherwise having difficulty settling, give them some distance from the activity.

Halloween doesn't have to be a dog activity just because the rest of the family is participating.

Sometimes the best Halloween treat you can give your dog is a quiet place to take a nap.

If Your Dog Gets Into Something

If you think your dog has eaten chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or another potentially toxic substance, don't wait for symptoms to appear.

Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison service promptly. Keep the packaging if you have it, because knowing exactly what your dog ate and approximately how much can help determine the appropriate response. And don't induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional instructs you to do so.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at (888) 426-4435.

A Safe Halloween Can Still Be a Fun Halloween

You don't need to keep your dog in a bubble until November 1.

Put the candy away. Secure the decorations. Make sure the ID tag is current. Keep an eye on the front door. And let your dog's personality determine how much—or how little—they participate in the festivities.

Then enjoy the costumes, the trick-or-treaters, and maybe a Halloween photo or two.

Just remember:

The chocolate is yours.

Your dog can have the treats made for dogs.

Happy Halloween from all of us at Marin Canine Club!