How to Keep Your Furry Friends Safe and Spook-Free This Halloween!
- Oct 29
- 3 min read
By: Karalyn McGee, Office Manager
October 29, 2025
Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, and carving pumpkins, but for our beloved pets, it can be a source of stress and even danger. As an in-home vet service, we see firsthand how common hazards can impact pets during this festive time. Here's your essential guide to ensuring your companions have a safe and happy Halloween!
The Dangers of Delicious Candy
That bowl of Halloween candy might be irresistible to trick-or-treaters, but it's a major no-no for pets. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is toxic to dogs and cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death. Xylitol, a common artificial sweetener found in sugar-free candies and gums, is also extremely dangerous, leading to a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
Keep all candy, especially chocolate and anything sugar-free, completely out of paw's reach. Consider having a designated "pet-safe" area if you're hosting a party.
Costume Conundrums
We all love a cute pet costume! But not all pets enjoy dressing up. A costume should never restrict movement, vision, hearing, or breathing. Watch for signs of discomfort like flattened ears, tail tucked, rigid posture, or attempts to chew off parts of the outfit. Loose pieces on costumes can also be choking hazards.
If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume is comfortable, fits well, and doesn't have small, detachable parts. Supervise them closely and remove the costume if they show any signs of stress. If your pet isn't a fan, a festive bandana or bow tie is a great, less restrictive alternative.
Decorating Dangers
Halloween decorations add to the festive spirit, but some can be hazardous to curious pets. Lit candles in pumpkins or elsewhere can be easily knocked over, causing burns or fires. Fake cobwebs, plastic spiders, and small decorative items can be ingested, leading to choking or intestinal blockages. Even electric cords for lights can be a chew temptation.
Securely place decorations out of your pet's reach. If you have a "chewer," avoid stringy or easily digestible decorations.
The Spook of Strangers & Open Doors
Halloween night often means a constant stream of strangers at your door. The repeated ringing of the doorbell and the appearance of oddly dressed people can be terrifying for some pets. It also means your front door will be opening and closing frequently, creating an escape risk.
Create a Safe Haven: On Halloween night, consider keeping your pets in a quiet, secure room away from the front door. Provide them with their bed, favorite toys, water, and perhaps some calming music or white noise.
ID is Key: Ensure your pet is wearing current identification tags and is microchipped, just in case they do manage to slip out.
Leash Up: The best way to ensure that your pet doesn’t get out on Halloween is to keep them on a short, non-retractable leash.
Black Cats and Superstitions
Sadly, black cats can sometimes be targets of cruelty around Halloween due to old superstitions. While this is less common today, it's still a good practice to keep all cats indoors around Halloween, especially black cats. Ensure all your feline friends, regardless of color, are safely inside for several days leading up to and including Halloween night.
Have a Happy & Safe Halloween!
By taking a few preventative steps, you can ensure that Halloween remains a fun and festive time for everyone in your household – furry members included! If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful or is showing signs of severe stress, contact your nearest emergency vet clinic immediately.
From all of us at McGee Veterinary Service, have a safe and spook-tacular Halloween!
McGee Veterinary Service provides in-home veterinary care and peaceful at-home pet euthanasia to the following communities: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, New River, Anthem, Peoria, Glendale, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Sun City, and Sun City West. To see if we cover your neighborhood, view our detailed Service Area Map.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karalyn McGee is the Office Manager at McGee Veterinary Service. With a bachelor’s degree in biology, she brings a strong scientific foundation to the administrative side of the clinic. When she isn't wrangling the clinic's logistics, Karalyn is usually found with her nose in a good book, enjoying camping trips, or chasing after a toddler.
