6 Halloween Pet Safety Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe
Updated: Aug. 23, 2019Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
Halloween's spooks are all in good fun—but some things can be dangerous for dogs. Follow these safety tips to keep your pup happy.
Here at Taste of Home, we seriously love Halloween! (Especially the spooky snacks and DIY costumes.) But when you’re hosting a monster mash or planning on plenty of trick-or-treaters, you might not realize that Halloween can be frightening or even dangerous for dogs. Here’s a quick guide to Halloween pet safety.
Beware Toxic Treats
Dogs will beg for anything, from tasty Halloween appetizers to trick-or-treat sweets. But before you share, beware that many ingredients are dangerous or even deadly for dogs. You probably know that chocolate, even in small amounts, can be very dangerous for dogs. Keep in mind that raisins, nuts, dairy and apples are other serious no-nos.
These people foods are healthy for dogs, though.
Keep Candy Bowls Out of Reach
While handing out candy, keep the dish out of reach of inquisitive pets. Dispose of candy wrappers and keep an eye on kids eating candy. Don’t miss our guide on how to pet-proof your home.
Choose a Costume That Isn’t Scary
Few things are cuter than a puppy in a Halloween costume! Many pets don’t love being dressed up, though. To make the experience comfy for your pup, avoid costumes that constrict the head or neck area. Avoid elastic bands that pinch or restrict your pet. And definitely, never constrict your dog’s ability to open his mouth—pets need to be able to pant and breathe freely.
Minimize Doorbell Distress
The noise of the doorbell can trigger many dogs, whether it’s their security guard instinct or friendly greet-the-guests mode. Either way, they’re almost certainly not used to hearing the bell right every minute or two. If your pup is really sensitive, consider handing out candy from the front porch, so no doorbell is needed. Otherwise, your pet might be more comfortable in a room with a closed door and a radio playing to muffle the noise.
Meet-and-Greet Spooky Decorations
Halloween lawn decorations get more elaborate every year. From ghosts drifting from tree branches to inflatable goblins and ghouls, decorations can frighten dogs, especially if they’re large, mobile, equipped with audio features or hidden. Introducing dogs to decorations in the light of day, giving them space to sniff and examine, can make it less startling. Or, skip the outdoor spookiness and focus on spooky snacks instead.
Have a Stressed Pup? Try a Wrap
Some pets get overwhelmed with the hubbub of holidays. Many pets benefit from a pressure wrap, which helps relax them. Check out the ThunderShirt or similar products on Amazon or at your local pet shop.
Spooky Halloween Treats for Humans
1 / 50
Edible Arachnids
I bring cake pops to my church group when we have movie nights. This year for Halloween, I used my go-to recipe to make these not-so-scary spiders. —Nicole Rae Paoli, Newark, Delaware
Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs
These jack-o'-lanterns may look spooky on the outside, but inside is a creamy, sweet treat. The classic flavor of pumpkin pie spice will have all your ghosts and goblins screaming for more! Karalee Helminak, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Witches' Brooms
Pair these edible mini brooms with Witches’ Brew for a spellbinding combination. The only ingredients you need here are pretzel rods and licorice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Candy Corn Cookies
Get a head start on these buttery cookies by shaping and chilling the homemade dough ahead of time. When you're ready, just slice and bake the tricolor treats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Halloween Pumpkin Bars
My family loves the warm pumpkin fragrance that wafts through our kitchen on cool fall afternoons when I make these bars. Jack-o'-lantern faces only add to the festive fall flavor. —Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana
Black-Hearted Candy Apples
The glossy coating of these old-fashioned candy apples is hard, not soft like the more common caramel variety. It's best to lick them like a lollipop. You can also cut into wedges with a sharp knife, but the candy coating may crack. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Tombstone Treats
My brother loves Rice Krispies squares, and my mom loves sugar cookies. I came up with a cute treat they'd both like.
Maple Tree Cake
Here's a colorful dessert—perfect for fall. A chocolate tree with pretty dried-fruit leaves tops off this maple-flavored cake. —Lorraine Tishmack, Casselton, North Dakota
Jumbo Jack-o'-Lantern Cookies
Every Halloween, I'd have a batch of these cookies waiting for my kids when they came home from school so they could decorate their own. Eventually, they started bringing friends home to join in the fun.
Halloween Peanut Spider Cookies
These cute spider cookies are so easy. They'll be the star at your next Halloween party! —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Halloween Witch Cake
If you're looking for an extra-special dessert to serve for Halloween, this witch cake will delight all the ghouls and goblins at your party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cake Eyeballs
Customize these cake balls to your liking with the flavors of your choice. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Jack-o'-Lantern Cake
I pieced two fluted tube pan cakes together to make this gap-toothed grinner that will make the best-ever centerpiece at your Halloween party. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota
Candy Corn Pudding Pops
Bring on the fall fun with these easy-peasy frozen treats. A few drops of food coloring make each pop look just like candy corn, but feel free to switch up the colors to match your event. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Spiced Chocolate Truffles
I make truffles for family events and gift-giving. Someone once asked me to add pumpkin spice, and now my recipe is legendary. —Gerry Cofta, Milwaukee, WI
Coffin Pumpkin Cake
The maple flavoring in the frosting makes this spooky cake taste delicious! And the gingersnap crumbs make the "coffin" look like a pine box…to suit the season perfectly. —Kathy Michel, Dubuque, Iowa
Spooky Gelatin Bubble Cupcakes
It's so much fun to make these and decorate with them! Bubbles can be made weeks ahead. Turn them into orange pumpkins, multi-colored balloons -- whatever! —Sarah Thompson, Taste of Home Culinary Director
So-Easy-It's-Spooky Bat Cake
This gorgeous dessert starts with a boxed cake mix. Then it’s an easy and magical trick to make the bat silhouette with cocoa. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Witches’ Fingers
You don't need a cauldron to conjure these frightening fingers. They're a sweet-and-salty treat that's spooky easy to make. —Beth Tomkiw, Chief Content Officer, Taste of Home
Pumpkin Caramel Cupcakes
Not only do kids love to eat these cupcakes, they can help bake them, too. To make things even easier for them, we got the idea to dunk them in premade caramel apple dip instead of using frosting. —Donna Schaab, Belleville, Illinois
Meringue Bones
This unique treatment for meringue travels well, too! You will certainly get requests for the recipe, and folks will be surprised at how simple it is! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Jack-o'-Lantern Pie
Pumpkin pie does not have to be difficult to make. This recipe has wonderful maple flavor and is sure to be a hit at your fall get-togethers. —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington
Day of the Dead Cookies
I make these cookies for all occasions. In the spring, I cut them in flower shapes and insert a lollipop stick in each to make a bouquet. Using candies, food coloring and a wild imagination, try your hand at this Day of the Dead version. —Kristine Fossmeyer, Huntley, Illinois
Marshmallow Ghosts
Kids of all ages can help prepare these easy-to-make treats. With just three ingredients that I often keep on hand, they can be put together at a moment's notice.—Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Owl Cookies
I came up with these cookies as a treat for my kids’ class parties. Not only do they look cute, but they are also delicious.—Starrlette Howard, Ogden, Utah
Brownie Haunted House
You don’t have to worry about getting this spooky showstopper to stand upright. These fudgy brownies are the perfect canvas for creating a silly haunted house. Trick-or-treaters beware! —Sarah Farmer, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Sour Candy Cupcakes
If you love the pucker of sour candies, then these sour candy cupcakes will be right up your alley. The sour dust sprinkled on top gives you an instant pucker when you first take a bite, but the sweetness soon follows. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Scary Eyeballs
Kids will squeal with delight at the sight of these eyeball treats. But the peanut butter flavor is the best part! —Shannon Blatchley, Ludlow, Massachusetts
Brownie Spiders
I'm absolutely petrified of real spiders. But I can make an exception for these cute ones made from chocolate. They make perfect Halloween treats. —Ali Ebright, Kansas City, Missouri
Eyes On You
Look out! This crazy cupcake only has eyes for you. Don't worry though, he's delicious! —Karen Tack, Riverside, Connecticut
Mini Meringue Pumpkins
Cast a sweet spell over your Halloween party guests by making a pumpkin patch’s worth of treats. It’s easy to use this basic meringue recipe spiced with pumpkin flavor to scare up fun cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Kiss from a Vampire Cookies
Raspberry jam eerily oozes from these soft butter cookies. One bite, and you'll have a hard time stopping! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Ghosts in the Graveyard Cake
This spooky cake is easy to make and fun to decorate. To save time, bake and freeze the brownies weeks in advance, then thaw at room temperature overnight before decorating.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Scary Hairy Caramel Apples
This is a cute and tasty version of a caramel apple. It's perfect for a Halloween party. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
Creepy Candied Corn
I couldn't stop eating this popcorn when I first tried it at a friend's party. My generous pal offered the recipe, and now I bring it to gatherings often. Color your corn an eerie green hue to add a spooky effect at Halloween. —Courtney D Wilson, Fresno, California
Autumn Tree Cake
You can decorate this special cake any way you like for Halloween or the colorful autumn months. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Crazy Halloween Blondies
I have a real sweet tooth, so Halloween is my favorite holiday. I came up with these bars for my kids, but I think I like them even more than they do! —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Halloween Monster Cookies
Don't be surprised if all the monsters come out of hiding when you assemble these fun and easy treats. My kids and I made them for their classroom Halloween party one year. Their classmates loved them, and it's now a tradition to make them every year. —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Ghost Shortbread Cookies
Pac-Man was my favorite video game when I was growing up. For a party, I decided to get creative and shape my go-to sugar cookies into the ghosts from the game. —Jamie S, Regina, Saskatchewan
Bones & Blood
Like a zombie, you'll be desperate for more of these bone-shaped cookies and dip. Fight nicely over them—no biting! —Taste of Home Food Styling Team
Brainy Cake
My Godson and I made this cake after fun day at the science museum. We've made it several times now, and we get a kick out of experimenting with the frosting colors. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California
Mummy Brownies
The grave couldn't hold these mummified treats for long! Watch these fudgy brownies pull a disappearing act at your Halloween get-together. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Halloween Party Cutout Cookies
I've been making these Halloween cookies for about 40 years—first for my children and now my grandchildren and all their friends, too. I make about 20 trays a year to give away to trick-or-treaters. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Stained Glass Gelatin
Kids love this sweet, wiggly gelatin and whipped topping dessert. Use different flavors of gelatin to make color versions that are as wild as your imagination. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Martian Marshmallows
Wrap leftovers in cellophane and hand them out as favors-if they haven't all disappeared by the end of the party.—Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Halloween Layer Cake
There's nothing "scary" about this cake. I make it every Halloween for my husband, Mike, and our three children. —Karen Wirth, Tavistock, Ontario
Graveyard Cake
Underneath tasty tombstones, ghosts, pumpkins, worms and soil that make this dessert a conversation piece, you'll find a delectable chocolate cake made from scratch in a few simple steps. It's a recipe I use year-round with different frostings. —Vicki Schlechter, Davis, California
Frosted Pistachio Bars
Bar cookies are the best-so fast and easy. Go as spooky as you dare when decorating this pan for Halloween. Shannon Sheehy, Chesterfield, Virginia
Halloween Chocolate Cookie Pops
Our children look forward to making these cute cookies each year. They've become experts at making silly faces with little candies.
Ghostly Cupcake Cones
Top peanut buttery cupcakes with your favorite frosting and spirited faces to make these frightfully ghostly treats. They’ll vanish into thin air before you know it! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Originally Published: August 23, 2019
