10/22/2026
Halloween can be a lot for our sensitive pets. Strangers at the door, new smells, flickering lights, and costumes that pinch or block their senses.
Our little tigger, Toby, rocked this look with pet-safe color (thank you !) from a calm, happy spa day. Creative color isn’t right for every pet, and comfort always comes first. If a pet is anxious, uncomfortable, or can’t stand it for long, we skip it. (And please never use human hair dye at home. It can be toxic to pets.)
After 20+ years of grooming anxious, fearful, and senior pets, here’s what I tell my clients about Halloween:
🎃 Costumes: If your pet freezes, hides, or tries to wriggle out, it’s not for them. Senior pets with stiff joints may not tolerate anything at all, and that’s okay.
🔔 Doorbells: Set up a quiet room with a familiar bed and some background noise before the first knock. Make sure ID tags and microchip info are current, since doors open a lot that night.
🍬 Candy: Chocolate, xylitol (in many sugar-free candies), and raisins are toxic to pets. Wrappers can cause blockages too.
🕯️ Decorations: Keep cords, candles, and jack-o’-lanterns out of reach of curious noses and wagging tails.
And if your pet would rather skip the whole night? Totally valid. 🧡 Save this for next weekend!