How To Keep Your Cat Safe During Halloween

Halloween is a fun time of year where people can get really into decorations, costumes, and of course, getting lots of candy! But do our cats feel the same way about this holiday? Here is our list of the main things to keep in mind to make sure your cat is safe during Halloween.

1. Candy

   1. There are a lot of candies out there that are not safe for cats to eat. Chocolate, just like for dogs, is toxic to cats as well. Some candy may contain artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, which is also toxic to cats. There are also other ingredients in some candies, such as raisons or nuts, that can be toxic to your cat as well. Another thing to keep in mind is throwing away any wrappers. The plastic can have traces of the candy on it and they cat may lick that or even eat the whole wrapper and have another issue of either choking on it or it getting stuck in their digestive track. Halloween is supposed to be a fun night, you definitely do not want to be spending it at the emergency veterinary clinic!

2. Slipping out your front door

   1. With trick-or-treaters coming and going all night, your front door will be opening and closing all night. This leaves plenty of opportunities for your pets to slip out. If this is something you are worried about, we suggest closing them off in a room or area of the house for the night. Just make sure they have access to their food, water, litterbox, and maybe some toys!
   2. Another thing with many trick-or-treaters is the constant knocking on the door, loud noises, and just people talking in general. All of this may be too overwhelming your cat. If you know your cat gets stressed easily by strangers and loud noises, it is probably best to, again, leave them in a room or area of the house with their belongings for the night.
   3. Also, black cats have been associated with bad luck and other myths. Around this time of year, they can unfortunately be the target of many Halloween pranks that can be cruel or cause harm to your cat. While black cats are more known to be targeted, any cat can be. For this reason, we suggest not taking your cat out trick-or-treating with you and leave them safe inside for the night.

3. Costumes

   1. While we are the first to admit that cats are absolutely adorable in Halloween costumes, not every cat enjoys it. Some cats may get very stressed and uncomfortable being put into clothes. It can feel very restricting to them. If your cat shows any signs of stress or discomfort, do not push them to wear the costume. It is better for both you and the cat to take it off.
   2. As for your own costume, your cat may not recognize you or may be scared of you while you are wearing it, especially if you have on a mask covering your face. Just be mindful of their reactions and try to stress them out as little as possible if you are staying in costume all night with them.

4. Jack-O-Lanterns

   1. While there is nothing dangerous about your cat being around pumpkins, many times, people will put candles inside their carved pumpkins. The flickering light can be seem like a toy for cats and can put them in a dangerous situation if they try to reach their paws in to touch it. Battery operated tea lights are a great alternative for this reason. Also, do not keep them out too long. Once they start to get rotten, throw them out, as they can grow bacteria that can be dangerous for your cat if they eat it.

5. Halloween Decorations

   1. While decorating for Halloween is a huge part of the fun, keep your cat’s curiosity and safety in mind. For inside decorations, be sure there are no small pieces they can get to and chew on or swallow. Also, be aware of any stringy items, including fake spider webs! While these may seem fun for your cat to play with, if they eat it, it can get wrapped around inside their intestines and cause issues. If there are decorations that get plugged in, keep the cords as out of reach as possible if you know your cat likes to chew on them. For outdoor decorations, keep in mind any that are on sensor to react with movement can really startle your cat if they are sniffing around in your yard.

6. Dyeing your pet

   1. There may be some trends going around where people dye their pets fur different colors, making them look like tigers, unicorns, or other animals. We do not recommend doing this at all. However, if you are set on doing so, please be careful when choosing a dye. Many dyes are not pet friendly and can cause allergic reactions or be toxic if your cat licks it off.

7. Trick-or-treating

   1. Many cats will most likely get stressed out with the crowds of people and loud noises, however some may not. While many cats may enjoy going out on trails for adventures, this is completely different environment and not every adventure cat will enjoy this. If you are taking your cat, make sure you are doing it for them, and not yourself. Make sure they have on an ID tag, harness, and leash. Bring a backpack or carrier to carry them if they get overwhelmed. Add something reflective to them to help them be seen. If at any point, your cat is overwhelmed or stressed, head home. This can be them refusing to walk, panting, excessive meowing, etc.

Conclusion:

Halloween can be a much higher stress situation for our cats than we may think. And when they are stressed, they can slip out of the harness and run away. Even the most adventurous and tolerable cats may still find Halloween stressful, so just remember to keep your cat’s best interest in mind. If you take them out, if at any point they appear stressed or uncomfortable, it would be best to bring them home and leave them there to continue the night without them. We hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween!