Spooky Human Holiday Has Many Hazards for Pets—from Chocolate Poisoning to Trick-or-Treat Anxiety
BOSTON, Oct. 29, 2024 – Halloween is a happy holiday for many—with children donning costumes and enjoying candy, people displaying spooky decorations, and many partaking in a scary movie—but it can also be a dangerous time for pets.
This Halloween, experts at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston—one of the busiest 24-7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals in the world, with more than 100,000 animals treated annually—are highlighting possible problems for pets and how owners can keep them safe and happy.
Safety First!
Chocolate is among the most popular candies given to trick-or-treaters during Halloween and, while it’s a sweet treat for humans, it can be dangerous to pets.
“Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which are harmful to cats and dogs,” explained Dr. Kiko Bracker, director of Angell’s Emergency and Critical Care team. “If they eat too much of it, chocolate can even be deadly.”
Bracker warns that dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate, but both are a threat.
“The more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is, but it’s important to keep all kinds of chocolate away from your pets this Halloween and, if they do eat it, call the Animal Poison Control Hotline, your veterinarian, or an emergency department like ours,” he advised.
Angell has 24-7 emergency services available in Boston and Waltham. More information may be found at mspca.org/emergency.
Costume Concerns
Another Halloween essential that may pose a danger to pets is costumes, which can make it hard for them to breathe or see.
“Humans may find pets in costumes entertaining, but the vast majority of our animals would prefer to forego dressing up,” said Bracker. “However, if you choose to dress your pet up, ask yourself a couple things before settling on a costume.”
“First, is the costume loose enough that they’re able to breathe, regardless of how and where they’re moving?” he expounded. “Even if it seems like the costume fits, it may be loose enough or have fabric on it that can get caught on furniture, which would also hurt your pet.”
“That’s also why it’s important to make sure that your pet still has a full range of vision in the costume, so they aren’t running into anything,” he added.
But, there is also a lesser known danger when it comes to pets and costumes—fear of humans in disguise.
Watch Out for Anxiety
“There are a lot of things that can make our dogs and cats fearful around Halloween, including our own costumes,” explained Aidan Wilkie, coordinator for MSPCA-Angell dog training in Methuen and Waltham.
“If you’re planning to dress up, we recommend laying out costumes in advance of wearing them, which will allow dogs and cats to familiarize themselves with the outfits through smell and sight.”
“We also recommend waiting until you’re away from your pet to put a mask on, and—whether you’re an adult or child—it’s important not to chase your pet while wearing a costume, as this may scare them,” added Wilkie.
Another stressor for pets is the activity and excitement of the holiday, including the flurry of front door visitors with trick-or-treaters.
“Use a baby gate or sequester your pets in a safe and comfortable part of your home with beds and toys that make them happy,” advised Wilkie. “If you’d prefer to have your pets loose at home, keep a close eye on them.”
“If they’re experiencing stress or anxiety with all the activity, they may bolt when you open the door to greet trick-or-treaters, so it’s also important to make sure that pets are microchipped and that the information is accurate and up-to-date.”
More information on keeping pets safety during Halloween may be found at mspca.org/Halloween.
Those interested in learning more about the MSPCA’s Behavior services can find information at mspca.org/behavior.