Halloween is this Thursday, October 31. It’s going to be a beautiful day and evening for trick-or-treaters. Keep your dogs, cats and small animals safe and out of harm’s way, while also enjoying the festivities with these Halloween pet safety tips.
Halloween Tip #1: Keep Candy Out of Reach
Everyone knows that chocolate is bad for dogs, but almost all forms of candy are not suitable for pets. A lot of candy contains a sugar-substitute called Xylitol which, if ingested in even small amounts, can cause low blood sugar, seizures, and even liver or heart failure in animals. During a holiday where candy is everywhere, make sure it’s up high and out of reach of the pets! This is the most important pet safety tip we can offer, not just for Halloween but for all holidays and every day!
Halloween Tip #2: Create a Stress-Free Environment

Many animals, especially dogs, don’t enjoy strangers constantly coming and going from their home. The constant ringing of a doorbell or the sound of unfamiliar voices coupled with kids in strange or scary costumes can cause a lot of stress and confusion for sensitive pets. To avoid this, try separating your pet into a different, far-away room from the front door and play music or calming sounds. Provide your pet with beds, blankets, toys, or things they love to make them feel safe.
Even if your pet loves company, keep an eye on the front door to make sure they don’t dart out during all the festivities!
Halloween Tip #3: Be Cautious with Costumes
Dressing up for Halloween is part of the fun for this spooky holiday. Animals, however, don’t understand the concept and can become agitated or frightened if put in a costume.
Pets who are unfamiliar with wearing clothes can feel like they are being constricted or unable to move properly. This can cause a stress or fear response in your pet. As a Fear Free Shelter, we encourage you to think about not only pet safety, but comfort and security when thinking about dressing them up. Their personality and tolerance level can change, from one Halloween to the next, and even between what you may consider to be similar types of costumes. Your pet may feel otherwise. Consider, too, the type of costume you want your pet to wear. Does it have a lot of small parts, string, extra fabric, or objects that could cause a choking hazard if chewed? Before dressing up your pet, please consider these things. Perhaps they only want a fun and festive collar or bandana instead!

Halloween Tip #4: Decorate Accordingly
Halloween decorations can be silly, spooky, and fun for us humans. For pets, however, it can be a different story. When decorating, try to think like your pet and their safety. Would your pup chew these open wires? Would your cat knock over these lit candles? Do these fake cobwebs seem inviting or are the plastic spiders small enough to swallow? (Fake spiderwebs are not good for wildlife either!) Just a little forethought into decorating could mean the difference between having a safe and spooky night or taking a trip to the emergency vet.
Halloween Tip #5: Update Their ID
Halloween night can get pretty hectic, so it’s important to have your pet’s identification updated and on them at all times. This includes their collar ID tag as well as their microchip, if they have one. Before Halloween rolls around, consider going online and confirming that your pet’s microchip is up to date with your current address and telephone number. Also make sure that your pup is wearing their collar before the night begins.
Many things can spook an animal to run out and away from their home on Halloween, so making sure their identification is correct could help in making a speedy reunion in case they get lost.
If you’re pet does not have a microchip, AWS’ Community Veterinary Clinic is hosting a FREE Microchip + Rabies Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, November 2 from 9 am – Noon at AWS in Kennebunk. Now that won’t help for this Halloween, but it can ensure your pet is easily identifiable going forward. Learn more!