Halloween Pet Safety Tips for Dogs & Cats

October in Adelaide means ghosts, goblins — and worried pets! Halloween can be a fun time, but for cats and dogs, it can bring anxiety, danger, and exposures to harmful treats. Follow these tips to keep your fur babies safe and calm during the festivities.

1. Create a quiet refuge: Before trick-or-treating starts, set up a calm room away from foot traffic (e.g. laundry or spare room) with bedding, water, and comfort items.

2. Secure decorations & cords: Keep wires, candles, and fragile or sharp decorations out of reach. Avoid dangling items or low-hanging décor near pet zones.

3. Avoid dressing your pet unless comfortable: If your pet tolerates costumes, use loose, non-restrictive styles and always supervise. Don’t leave costumes on unattended.

4. Never allow access to human treats: Even a small amount of chocolate or sweets can cause serious illness. Keep candy bowls out of reach.

5. Identification is critical: In case your pet panics and dashes out, ensure microchip and ID tags are up to date.

6. Play calming sounds or white noise: Use soft music to drown out doorbells and outside noise, helping your pet stay calmer.

If your pet ingests something toxic or shows symptoms such as vomiting, drooling, tremors, restlessness, or collapse, contact your vet immediately. Keep any packaging or ingredient lists from what they may have eaten to share with the vet team.

If it’s after hours, please contact:

Southern Adelaide:

Pawprints Afterhours
199 Main Road, Blackwood SA 5051
0438 099 309

Western Adelaide:

SASH Adelaide
99 Rundle Street, Kent Town SA 5067
(08) 8125 7120

Halloween can be an exciting night for families, but it’s best to keep celebrations fun and safe for our furry friends. With a little preparation, you can help your pets stay calm, comfortable, and protected from the hidden hazards of the spooky season.