The best Halloween pet safety tips come down to two jobs: keep your pet behind a closed door while trick-or-treaters come and go, and keep the candy, glow sticks and candles out of reach. Check that your pet's ID tag and microchip details are current before the doorbell starts. Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31 this year, so set things up now.

Here's how to set up your house, what to watch for, and what to do if your pet slips out anyway.

How do I keep my pet from running out the door on Halloween?

Give your pet a room of their own for the night. The ASPCA suggests keeping all but the most social dogs and cats in a separate, comfortable room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. VCA Animal Hospitals goes a step further and recommends keeping pets behind closed doors, ideally in their crate, so a frightened animal can't escape.

Kansas State University veterinarian Susan Nelson points out that even social animals can be tempted to dash outside while the door is open. Her advice:

  • Keep pets indoors before, during and for a few days after Halloween.
  • Put them in a back room with the TV or radio on to muffle the doorbell and excited kids.
  • If the doorbell upsets your pet, disconnect it, or hand out candy at the end of the driveway if the weather is nice.
  • Let your pet see family members' costumes ahead of time, since a familiar person in a mask can be scary.

A chew or food puzzle for a dog, or an interactive toy for a cat, gives them something better to do than listen at the door, the ASPCA says.

Taking your dog trick-or-treating with the kids? Use a reflective collar, a secure leash and ID tags, as the ASPCA recommends for any walk after dark.

Is my pet's ID and microchip up to date?

Check it this week. A microchip is only as good as the contact details attached to it, the ASPCA notes, so update the registry if you've moved or changed your phone number. Pets, including indoor-only ones, should also wear a collar with a tag showing your name and current number.

The numbers back this up. A study of stray animals entering RSPCA Queensland shelters found that 37% of microchipped animals had data problems, such as being registered to a previous owner or having disconnected phone numbers. Microchipped dogs were reclaimed 80% of the time, compared with 37% of dogs without a chip. For cats the gap was wider: 51% versus 5%.

Should I keep my black cat inside on Halloween?

Yes, though the reason is the same for every cat. In a 2015 Kansas State release, Nelson warned that cats, especially black ones, are sometimes sought out with cruel intentions around Halloween. Alley Cat Allies, a cat advocacy group, says there's no data showing cats are harmed more on Halloween than at other times. Either way, the bigger danger on October 31 is a door that keeps opening and a cat who panics. Keep all cats in, whatever their color.

How do I keep rabbits, birds and other small pets safe on Halloween?

Bring them in and dull the noise. The ISPCA advises keeping small mammals and birds inside with their cages or hutches covered to act as a sound barrier. RSPCA Australia also says rabbits and guinea pigs should be safely housed when fireworks are going off, which is worth remembering if your neighbors celebrate loudly.

If you share pumpkin, go easy. The PDSA says rabbits and guinea pigs can have a small amount of pumpkin flesh and skin as a supervised treat, but pumpkin seeds should stay away from small pets.

Which Halloween candy is dangerous for dogs and cats?

Chocolate in all forms can be dangerous for cats and dogs, especially dark or baking chocolate, according to the ASPCA. Sugar-free candy with xylitol is a serious risk too. VCA explains that xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs and may lead to seizures. Kansas State adds raisins and some nuts to the list.

The wrappers count as well. Candy wrappers and lollipop sticks can cause choking or blockages in the gut, Kansas State warns. Dogs can sniff out well-hidden candy, so put bowls and bags on high counters and make sure kids don't stash their haul under the bed.

If you think your pet ate something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. Kansas State also lists the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.

Are glow sticks, candles and decorations safe around pets?

Not left within reach. The ASPCA says most glow sticks are labeled non-toxic but have an extremely bitter taste, so a curious cat or puppy who bites one is in for a nasty surprise. Keep them on the kids, not on the floor.

Candles are the bigger worry. A pet can easily knock over a lit jack-o'-lantern and start a fire, and curious kittens can get burned. VCA recommends battery-powered candles instead, which is a simple swap we'd make in any home with a wagging tail.

A few more to watch:

  • Electrical cords. Chewing them can cause electrocution and burns, Kansas State says.
  • Decorative corn cobs, fake cobwebs and small props, which can be swallowed and block the digestive tract.
  • Old pumpkins. Pumpkin itself isn't toxic, but large amounts can upset a stomach, and moldy pumpkins can make pets sick, so toss them.

Should my dog or cat wear a Halloween costume?

Only if you know your pet enjoys it. The ASPCA says a costume shouldn't limit movement, sight, breathing, barking or meowing, and shouldn't have small or dangling pieces that can be chewed off. Try it on a few days early. If your pet seems distressed, skip it. A festive bandana or collar works fine. The PDSA goes further and advises against dressing pets up at all, because costumes can hide body language and stop pets from grooming or keeping cool.

What to do if your pet gets out on Halloween night

Start looking right away, and stay calm. Humane World for Animals recommends beginning with a thorough search of the area where your pet was last seen, and telling everyone you meet that you're looking, but asking them not to chase.

For a scared dog:

  • Don't chase. It can drive a frightened dog out of the area.
  • Get low instead. The Pet Professional Guild suggests sitting or lying down, or sitting with your side to the dog, which often makes them curious enough to come back.
  • Shake a treat bag or food dish and let your dog come to you.

For a cat, search close to home first. Cats hide in silence and usually stay nearby, according to Best Friends Animal Society. In one study of more than 1,200 lost cats, 75% were found within 500 meters (about a third of a mile) of where they escaped. Check your own house first, including closets and under beds, then under porches, decks, cars and shrubs, and ask neighbors to look in sheds and garages.

Then spread the word:

  • Call your local animal control, shelters and vet clinics. Check every shelter that serves your area, and visit in person with a photo.
  • Put up large "LOST DOG" or "MISSING CAT" posters near where your pet went missing.
  • Post in local lost and found groups.
  • Report your pet as lost on Paw Alert, our free app on Google Play, so people nearby can see the report on the map.

Don't give up after one night. Humane World notes that pets lost for months have been reunited with their families.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs eat Halloween candy?

No. Chocolate, xylitol, raisins and some nuts can all be toxic, and wrappers can cause blockages. If your dog gets into the candy, call your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

What happens if my pet bites a glow stick?

Most glow sticks are labeled non-toxic but taste extremely bitter, according to the ASPCA. Take it away, and call your vet or an animal poison control line if your pet seems unwell or you're not sure what they swallowed.

Should I keep my pets inside for Halloween?

Yes. Kansas State's Susan Nelson recommends keeping pets indoors before, during and for a few days after Halloween. A quiet back room works well while trick-or-treaters visit.

How do I update my pet's microchip details?

Contact the company your pet's chip is registered with and update your phone number and address. The ASPCA notes a microchip is only as good as the information behind it, so do it any time you move or change numbers.

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