Which Halloween Treats Are Too Scary For Your Pet

Halloween candy and decorations have been back in stores since...well, since late summer. But now it's really almost Halloween! In just a few short weeks your house will become a treasure trove of seasonal snacks and sweets. But while your kids will enjoy digging into their sugary hauls (and you might enjoy sneaking a few pieces for yourself, we won’t tell), Halloween candy can actually prove very scary for your pets! 

We’ve all heard that chocolate is bad for dogs, but there are plenty of other lesser-known pet toxins that have slapped on a costume and snuck their way into your home. To help keep your pets safe this Halloween season, here’s a list of a few of the biggest dangers to watch out for!

• Chocolate: The big one. Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats and can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure. The potential toxicity depends on the on the chocolate’s concentration: milk chocolate contains a lower concentration than dark chocolate or baking chocolate and is less dangerous as a result, but can still be harmful in large enough quantities. Pet MD’s Chocolate Toxicity Meter can help you determine the severity of a chocolate-related accident, but online calculators like these are never a replacement for consulting a medical professional!

• Raisins: Remember when your kids complained about the house that gives out raisins on Halloween, and you tried to convince them it wasn’t that bad? Sorry to say, your kids win this round. Raisins (like all grape products) can be very toxic to dogs and cats alike. The strange part is that we still don’t know what makes grapes so harmful to pets, and the even stranger part is that the toxic dose can vary greatly. Some dogs can eat several grapes with no reaction, while other dogs could suffer life-threatening symptoms from very small quantities. As a result it’s always best to err on the side of caution, and assume that even a single grape or raisin could pose a medical emergency.
• Nuts: If your pet got into a nut-filled candy bar then chocolate is probably the bigger concern, but nuts can still be harmful on their own. Certain nuts like macadamias are toxic to dogs, and even the ones that aren’t typically contain high amounts of fat, which can lead to digestive troubles and pancreatitis. Giving your dog a spoonful of peanut butter is fine as an occasional treat or a way to sneak in medication, but you should avoid giving your pets solid nuts.
• Xylitol: While sugar’s already not great for dogs (too much can cause cavities, weight gain, and diabetes), the artificial sweetener xylitol is particularly dangerous. Often found in gum, mints, and even some peanut butters (so be sure to read labels carefully!) xylitol can cause a sharp drop in blood sugar levels, resulting in potentially-fatal cases of hypoglycemia.
• Wrappers: Kids are usually smart enough to take the candy out of the wrapper before they eat it, but unfortunately the same can't be said for our pets. Foil or plastic can cause a potential bowel obstruction, which can in turn lead to an inability to eat or digest food, and can potentially cause damage to the stomach and intestines. While some foreign bodies can pass on their own, others may require intervention or even surgery to remove, so it’s always best to check with a vet if your pet ate something non-edible!

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Uh-oh, my pet got into something! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but we know it’s not always that simple. If your pet got into something they shouldn’t have, call us or an emergency service immediately. Depending on what your pet ate, how much, and how long ago, we may recommend monitoring for symptoms, inducing vomiting, or coming in for supportive care.

So what can I feed my pet? We get it. While it’s important to keep your pet safe, you don’t want them to feel left out on a night like Halloween! If you want your dog to be able to join you in your post-Trick-or-Treat feast you can offer them a few high-value treats. You can make a game out of it with your cat or dog with an interactive food puzzle!
​Halloween should be a fun night, and the last place you want to spend it is an emergency room. With all that said stay safe, and Happy Halloween!

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