Tricks, treats and hidden dangers

23 October 2026

PDSA’s Halloween advice for pet owners

Leading veterinary charity PDSA is urging pet owners to put their pets’ wellbeing first this Halloween, with simple steps to help keep them safe, calm and away from spooky season hazards.

Halloween often means dressing up, decorating our homes and enjoying sweet treats. But from a pet’s point of view, unfamiliar decorations, strange costumes, constant doorbells and excited visitors can be confusing, frightening and potentially dangerous.

The 2026 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report* found that 1 in 4 dog owners (25%) said their dog barks for more than a minute at a time at someone outside of the window, behaviour that could become even more challenging around Halloween, when trick-or-treaters in unusual costumes will be passing by all evening.

To help pet owners prepare for Halloween, PDSA has five top tips for keeping pets happy and safe.

1. Keep decorations safe and out of reach

Halloween decorations can be tempting for curious pets to investigate, but chewing or swallowing them could cause serious harm, including intestinal blockages. Keep decorations, dangling items and pumpkin carving tools out of reach and ensure candle lit pumpkins are well away from pets. Battery operated candles are a much safer alternative, and after the fun always dispose of old pumpkins before they become mouldy.

2. Keep chocolate and sweets away from paws

Halloween treats might be delicious for us, but they can be dangerous for our pets. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs, cats and rabbits, and some sweets can contain xylitol, which is extremely dangerous to dogs. Keep sweets, chocolate and their wrappers securely out of reach. If you do think your pet has eaten something potentially harmful, contact your vet immediately, don’t wait to see if symptoms start to show.

3. Think twice before dressing up your pet

Halloween costumes can make pets feel uncomfortable, restricted or stressed, and may interfere with natural behaviours such as grooming and movement. It’s best to let pets enjoy Halloween without a costume. Remember to consider your own outfit, too; masks, hats and sudden changes in appearance can startle animals who may not recognise you straight away.

4. Create a quiet, cosy retreat

Repeated doorbell rings and loud noises can be unsettling for some pets. Set up a comfortable space away from the front door, with familiar bedding and favourite toys. Close curtains to reduce the sights of passing trick-or-treaters and consider putting the television or radio on at a low volume to help mask outside noise. Let your pet retreat whenever they need to and make sure they can access fresh water. If your pet is particularly stressed, keep the lights off and remove any decorations from the front of the house to deter trick-or-treaters from coming to the door.

5. Plan walks and outdoor time before dark

Take your dog for a walk before Halloween activities get underway to reduce the chance of them becoming frightened by people in costumes. If you have a cat, encourage them to come home earlier by bringing their evening meal forward, and keep them safely indoors once trick-or-treating begins and make sure they have access to a litter tray if needed.

PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Walsh says:

"Halloween can seem like harmless fun for us, but from your pet's perspective, suddenly things can look very different, and they don’t always understand what’s going on.

"A few simple steps can help make a real difference; give your pet somewhere quiet to retreat to, keep tempting treats and decorations safely out of reach, and try to stick to their normal routine as much as possible. Remember, our pets don’t need a Halloween costume, or extra treats to join in, the best treat we can give them is keeping them safe, comfortable and happy.”

*PAW Report - PDSA