Pet Safety on Halloween and the Holidays: Candy, Costumes, Decorations and Guests
From trick-or-treat candy to tinsel and turkey bones, the holiday season brings extra hazards. A few simple precautions prevent most emergencies.
The main holiday risks for pets are food (especially chocolate and sugar-free candy containing xylitol), decorations they can chew or swallow, open doors and stressed animals slipping out, and loud noise. Keep treats and decorations out of reach, give your pet a quiet room during parties and trick-or-treating, and make sure their ID is up to date. If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, call your vet, an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away (a consultation fee may apply).
Halloween
Candy
- Chocolate is dangerous for dogs and cats; dark and baking chocolate are the most concentrated.
- Xylitol, a sweetener in some sugar-free gum, mints and candy, can be very dangerous for dogs even in small amounts.
- Raisins and grapes, sometimes handed out as “healthy” treats, can harm dogs.
- Wrappers and lollipop sticks can cause choking or blockages if swallowed.
Keep the candy bowl and children’s trick-or-treat bags well out of reach, and remind kids not to share. Dogs can sniff out hidden treats.
Costumes
Only dress your pet if they clearly tolerate it. A costume should not restrict movement, sight, hearing or breathing, and should not have small or dangling parts that can be chewed off. Try it on before the day, supervise while it is on, and take it off at the first sign of stress. A festive bandana is a low-stress alternative.
Decorations
- Lit jack-o’-lanterns and candles can be knocked over, causing burns or fires. Battery candles are safer.
- Keep electrical cords and fake cobwebs away from curious pets.
- Glow sticks and glow jewelry can cause drooling and mouth irritation if chewed. If your pet bites one, call your vet or poison control for advice.
The doorbell
Constant knocking, costumed strangers and an open door are a recipe for stress and escapes. During peak trick-or-treating, keep pets in a quiet room away from the front door with a chew or food puzzle. Keep black cats and outdoor cats inside around Halloween, and use a reflective collar and secure leash for walks after dark.
Thanksgiving and holiday meals
- Bones, especially cooked poultry bones, can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries.
- Fatty scraps such as turkey skin, gravy and drippings can trigger stomach upset and, in some pets, pancreatitis, which needs vet care.
- Onions, garlic, leeks and chives, common in stuffing and sauces, are toxic to dogs and cats.
- Raw yeast dough can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol.
- Alcohol: never leave drinks where pets can reach them.
- Secure trash cans; carcasses and string from roasts are tempting and dangerous.
Keep your pet on their usual diet. For a full list, see foods toxic to dogs and foods toxic to cats.
Winter holidays
| Hazard | Why it matters | Safer approach |
|---|---|---|
| Lilies in bouquets | Highly toxic to cats; can cause kidney failure | Keep lilies out of homes with cats entirely |
| Mistletoe and holly | Can cause stomach upset and other problems | Use artificial versions or hang well out of reach |
| Poinsettias | Usually cause mild to moderate stomach irritation | Keep out of reach |
| Tinsel and ribbon | Cats may swallow it, causing dangerous blockages | Skip tinsel in homes with cats |
| Glass ornaments, batteries, cords | Cuts, burns, poisoning or electric shock | Hang fragile items high; tidy cords |
| Salt-dough ornaments | Can cause a dangerous salt imbalance if eaten | Hang high or avoid |
Anchor the tree so a climbing cat or excited dog cannot pull it over. Our guide to plants toxic to cats and dogs covers more seasonal plants.
Guests, travel and New Year’s Eve
- Give pets a retreat: a quiet room with water, bedding and toys, away from the party.
- Brief guests not to feed your pet and to keep doors closed.
- Check medications: visitors’ bags can contain pills that are dangerous to pets.
- Fireworks and poppers on New Year’s Eve frighten many pets. See fireworks anxiety in dogs.
- ID: make sure collars, tags and microchip details are current before the season starts.
Signs of an emergency
Contact your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your pet:
- Has eaten chocolate, xylitol, grapes or raisins, a lily (cats), bones, string or tinsel, or medication.
- Is vomiting repeatedly, has diarrhea, or is trying to vomit without producing anything.
- Is restless, trembling, has a racing heart, or seems wobbly.
- Has a painful or swollen belly, collapses or has a seizure.
- Has trouble breathing.
Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison control specialist tells you to. Note what was eaten, how much and when, and keep the packaging. For general guidance from the ASPCA, see its Halloween safety tips.
Bottom line
Most holiday emergencies come from food and decorations within reach and from frightened pets slipping out of open doors. Store candy and leftovers securely, pet-proof decorations, give your pet a quiet space during busy times, and keep their ID current. If something goes wrong, call your vet or poison control promptly.
FAQ
Is a small piece of milk chocolate dangerous?
It depends on your pet’s size and the type and amount of chocolate. Call your vet or poison control with the details rather than guessing.
Are pumpkins safe for pets?
Plain cooked pumpkin is often used as an occasional treat for dogs, but a moldy or carved decorative pumpkin is not, and lit pumpkins are a fire risk.
Can I bring my dog trick-or-treating?
Only if your dog is calm around crowds, costumes and doorbells. Use a secure leash and reflective gear, and stop if they seem stressed.
Are poinsettias deadly?
Poinsettias are generally considered mildly toxic, typically causing stomach irritation. Still keep them out of reach, and call your vet if your pet seems unwell.