31/10/2026
HALLOWEEN IS HERE! BUT IS YOUR DOG READY FOR ALL THOSE LITTLE MONSTERS?
Tonight our streets will be full of witches, ghosts, skeletons and excited children knocking on doors.
For us, it’s a bit of fun. But for our pets, Halloween can be a rather strange and sometimes frightening experience!
Imagine minding your own business when the doorbell rings and there’s a six foot dinosaur standing outside!
So here are a few tips from the Paws 4 A Break team to help keep your pets happy and safe tonight.
Keep your dog safe when answering the door
If your dog rushes towards visitors, use a baby gate or keep them safely in another room. With doors opening and closing all evening, we don’t want any unexpected escapes.
Create a cosy, quiet space
A comfortable bed, favourite chew, stuffed Kong or a little enrichment can help your dog relax. Close the curtains and put the television or radio on to help soften the sounds outside.
Walk before it gets busy
Try to get your evening walk finished before the trick or treaters come out. Strange costumes, flashing decorations and excited children can be unsettling, even for normally confident dogs.
Don’t force greetings
Your dog doesn’t need to meet everyone who knocks. If they’d rather stay curled up on the sofa, let them!
Watch for signs of stress
Pacing, panting, trembling, hiding, lip licking or excessive barking can all be signs that your dog is finding things difficult. Give them space, comfort and reassurance.
Keep sweets and chocolate out of reach
Chocolate, raisins and some sugar free sweets containing xylitol are dangerous for dogs. Keep trick or treat bags, sweet bowls and wrappers safely away from curious noses.
If your pet eats something potentially toxic, don’t wait for symptoms to appear and never attempt to make them sick yourself.
Contact your vet immediately or call the UK’s Animal PoisonLine for advice.
Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509000
Open 24 hours a day, including weekends and bank holidays. Calls cost £35 to £45.
www.animalpoisonline.co.uk
If your pet is collapsing, having seizures or struggling to breathe, contact an emergency vet immediately.
Be careful with decorations
Candles, electrical wires, glow sticks and moving decorations can all pose risks. Make sure your garden is secure too, and avoid leaving pets outside unattended.
Remember your cats and other pets
Cats can also become frightened by unfamiliar noises, decorations and visitors. Make sure they have somewhere quiet to retreat to, away from frequently opened doors.
Keep small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs somewhere peaceful too, particularly if there are loud noises or fireworks nearby.
Costumes are optional
If your pet is comfortable wearing a Halloween outfit, lovely! But never force them to dress up just for a photograph. Their comfort and happiness should always come first.
AND ONE FINAL REMINDER…
If your dog normally barks at the doorbell or gets overexcited when visitors arrive, tonight isn’t the night to try to change that behaviour.
Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is simply manage the situation and let our pets enjoy a peaceful evening.
After all, they don’t know it’s Halloween. They just know that suddenly the neighbourhood has gone a little bit bonkers!
Happy Halloween from all of us at Paws 4 A Break!
Stay safe, have fun and keep those paws away from the chocolate!
