Halloween Safety for Dogs: Treats, Visitors and Decorations
By Raw Dogs Dorset · · Updated
Halloween brings sweet bowls, discarded wrappers and unfamiliar visitors. A little preparation helps you keep those hazards out of your dog's reach and give them a quieter place to settle.
If your dog has eaten something harmful
Call your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten a harmful food or swallowed a wrapper or decoration. Do not wait for symptoms.
Keep any packaging and note what was eaten, roughly how much and when. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless your vet specifically tells you to. PDSA's emergency advice explains why prompt veterinary help matters.
For specialist poisoning advice, Animal PoisonLine is available 24 hours a day on 01202 509000; a consultation fee applies. If your dog is collapsing, having seizures or struggling to breathe, contact your vet immediately.
Before the evening starts: a quick checklist
- Put sweets, chocolate and party food somewhere your dog cannot reach.
- Ask children and visitors not to share human treats with your dog.
- Prepare a quiet space away from the front door.
- Keep decorations and lit candles out of reach.
- Check floors and bags for dropped sweets and wrappers.
Foods to keep away from dogs
Chocolate
Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder pose a higher risk, but milk chocolate can also cause poisoning. Keep sweet bowls and children's treat bags securely out of reach.
Xylitol in sugar-free sweets
Xylitol is extremely harmful to dogs and can appear in sugar-free sweets, chewing gum and some nut butters. It may also be listed as birch sugar. Keep the packaging if your dog eats a product containing it.
Grapes, raisins and mouldy food
Grapes and raisins can cause serious poisoning, including kidney failure. Keep fruit and baked treats away from your dog. Mouldy food can also be dangerous, so secure bins and dispose of old carved pumpkins.
For more food hazards, see PDSA's poisons and hazards guide. A sweet without a toxic ingredient can still leave a wrapper or stick that causes harm if swallowed.
Pumpkins and decorations
Keep candles, carving tools, fake cobwebs and small decorations away from curious dogs. For a pumpkin-themed food reward, read our plain pumpkin feeding guide rather than offering pieces from a carved display.
Help your dog settle away from visitors
Arrange a quiet space before visitors arrive. If you are opting out of trick-or-treating, put a polite note on the door. Keep your dog safely away from an opening front door and give them a familiar activity while you supervise.
For noisy evenings, read our fireworks preparation guide. If you offer a chew, use our chew suitability and supervision guide to choose appropriately. A chew does not replace help for persistent anxiety.
Skip the costume
PDSA recommends avoiding pet costumes because they can cause stress and discomfort. Your dog can join a quiet evening at home without dressing up.