Halloween pet safety: chocolate, pumpkins and trick or treaters

With Halloween days away, vets are reminding UK owners that chocolate, sugar free sweets and rotting pumpkins can all land a dog or cat in the vet, and that a steady stream of trick or treaters at the door can stress pets out.

Halloween falls on Saturday, and for dogs and cats it brings a mix of risks that owners should plan for now rather than on the night itself.

Sweets and chocolate

Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats. It contains theobromine and caffeine, substances pets cannot process as efficiently as people, and the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it generally is, although milk chocolate can also cause poisoning. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning can include vomiting or diarrhoea, restlessness, a racing heartbeat, tremors and, in severe cases, seizures, and these signs can take several hours to appear.

Sugar free sweets and gum bring a separate danger. Many contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause severe poisoning in dogs. Wrappers are a risk too, since swallowed foil and plastic can cause a blockage in the gut.

Chocolate poisoning symptoms can take hours to show, so call your vet as soon as you know your pet has eaten any.

Pumpkins and decorations

Pumpkins themselves are not toxic, but owners should still be careful. A carved pumpkin left out for days can start to rot, and a pet that nibbles a mouldy pumpkin can become unwell, while stems and large chunks can cause a blockage if swallowed. Candles inside carved pumpkins also carry a burn risk if a curious cat or dog gets too close.

Decorations such as fake cobwebs and small plastic props can be chewed and swallowed, leading to the same choking or blockage risk as sweet wrappers.

The doorbell problem

A steady run of trick or treaters knocking and ringing the doorbell for several hours can be unsettling for nervous dogs and especially for cats, who are creatures of habit and sensitive to any change in their home. Giving a nervous pet a quiet room away from the front door, with their usual bed and some familiar background noise, can help take the edge off the evening.

If your pet does need emergency treatment after getting into something it shouldn't, you can use thevetbill.co.uk to compare what local practices charge for an urgent consultation.

This is general information. For advice about your own pet, call your vet.