Veterinary Poison Control Shares Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
Author: Pet Poison Helpline
Published: 2009/10/22 - Updated: 2025/10/18
Publication Type: Instructive / Helpful
Category Topic: Service and Therapy Animals - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information offers a practical guide from a recognized veterinary poison-control service detailing how to protect pets from the hazards of Halloween. It draws on expert knowledge from the Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal-poisoning resource staffed by board-certified veterinary toxicologists, internal-medicine specialists, and pharmacists. The article outlines clear risks such as chocolate and candy ingestion, glow-stick liquid, costume accessories, candles, and decoration cords, and explains how these can cause serious health issues in pets. It is especially useful for pet owners who may have mobility challenges, visual impairments or other disabilities, as well as seniors, because it emphasizes readiness, preventive safety steps and quick-action guidance, making it accessible and applicable in everyday settings - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Holidays can bring unique foods and materials into the house that pose special threats to animals. Halloween, with its costumes and candy, can be a dangerous and stressful time for a pet. The following tips showcase what pet owners should watch out for around Halloween.
Main Content
Chocolate
Make sure your kids know to hide their Halloween stash from food-seeking dogs. Ninety-five percent of Pet Poison Helpline's chocolate calls involve dogs getting into chocolate candy. Keep in mind, the less sweet and the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your pet. Baker's chocolate and dark chocolate pose the biggest problem.
Other Candy
Remember when you felt ill after gorging on too much candy? The same thing can happen to pets. Large ingestions of high-fat, high-sugar foods may lead to a condition called pancreatitis "a painful and potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas. Signs of pancreatitis typically show up two to four days after ingesting a large high-fat meal. Monitor your pet for a decreased appetite, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea and other odd behavior.
Raisins and Grapes
While small boxes of raisins are popular and healthy treats for people, keep them away from dogs. Even small numbers of raisins or grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs (and possibly cats). Never offer grapes or raisins as snacks for your pets. Choose carrots, peas, green beans or apples instead.
Candy Wrappers
Not only is candy toxic to pets, but so are the wrappers. Few animals will bother to unwrap Halloween treats before eating them. Ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers may cause a bowel obstruction when ingested in large quantities.
Glow Sticks and Jewelry
Pets, especially cats, love to chew on these colorful toys. Though not highly poisonous, the glowing contents can cause pain and irritation in the mouth as well as profuse drooling, nausea and vomiting.
Costumes
While dressing up our pets can be entertaining, keep in mind that your pet may not enjoy it. Make sure the costume does not impair their vision or movement. Also, beware of costumes containing metallic beads, snaps or other small pieces. If ingested, some metals (especially zinc and lead) can result in serious poisoning. Never dye or apply coloring to your pets' fur. Even if the dye is labeled non-toxic, many are not meant to be ingested and can potentially cause harm.
Additionally, pets may be afraid of people dressed in costumes and may not even recognize those they typically know. Fear can cause animals to act aggressively or in an unpredictable manner. If your pet seems nervous or afraid, make sure to have a safe area for them to hide or take a "time out."
Candles
Wagging tails and curious noses do not mix with candles. Keep candles well out of reach of four-legged friends and, when possible, use safe, electric lights in jack-o-lanterns.
The best thing any pet owner can do is to be educated about the common foods and items that are potentially toxic to pets. Make sure to avoid accidentally feeding your pets human foods that may be dangerous for them and keep poisonous products out of your pet's reach. When in doubt or if you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately at 1-800-213-6680 with any questions or concerns.