Trick or Treat! Halloween Safety

January 20 2026, 2 min reading time

Halloween fun is just around the corner, and many of our pups love to be involved in the holiday festivities. There are lots of great ways to include them, such as taking them along trick or treating, or spoiling them with some special dog treats. Whilst we love to include our pets, it’s always a good idea to stay aware of how to look after your dog throughout the holiday.

Trick or Treat!

If your dog is joining in on the fun of walking about trick or treating, the most important thing to do is ensure they are on a secure lead. This might be a shorter lead than you use for your everyday walk to keep them close to your side. Another aspect to be mindful of is the excitement they may cause! People, and children in particular, can get excited to meet your pup as they see them out and about. If your dog is not great with kids or people, or tends to get overexcited, it may be best to leave them at home. Remember not to force social interactions, as these can be stressful for your dog. Ensure they are initiating or freely accepting social interactions.

Chocolate Toxicity

A common treat given out on Halloween is chocolate. Chocolate is highly toxic for dogs. Ensure chocolate is always kept out of reach. Similarly, while other sweets may be less toxic for dogs, they can still cause negative symptoms. Keep sweet stashes in a place where your pup cannot reach them. Likewise, ensure discarded candy wrappers aren’t left on the floor as these can be harmful to your dog and be a choking hazard.

Avoiding Door Anxiety

Constant trick or treaters knocking on the door can be a stressful experience for your dog. Even for social dogs, this experience can be overwhelming and overstimulating. If you notice your dog experiencing these emotions, consider keeping them in a secure room in the house, like the laundry. Ensure they have access to their comfort spaces such as their crate or bed, plenty of toys, food and water.

Preventing Escapades

In the chaos of Halloween, it can be easy for your dog to slip out unnoticed. For outside dogs, double check their yard is fenced off and secure before the day. It is also a good idea to ensure your dog (even if it is kept indoors) has an up-to-date ID tag. Making sure your pup is microchipped can help with this - in the event they become lost, a quick scan will be able to reveal your details even if their ID tag has fallen off.