Keep Your Pets Safe from Halloween Candy
Halloween is one of our favorite holidays — costumes, candy, and fun for the whole family (including the occasional pup in costume). But this time of year also brings one of the most common emergency questions we hear: “What should I do if my dog eats chocolate?” or “What do I do if my pet eats candy?”
Here’s what every pet owner should know to keep their furry friends safe this Halloween.
Common Halloween Treats That Are Dangerous for Pets
Chocolate: One of the most common pet emergencies. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, heart problems, tremors, or seizures.
Macadamia nuts: Toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, weakness, and fever.
Xylitol: A sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum and candy. It can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar and liver failure — even in small doses.
If you’re handing out candy or have kids bringing home trick-or-treat bags, keep everything sealed and out of reach. Pets are surprisingly good at sniffing out sweets.
What to Do If Your Dog or Cat Eats Candy
If you think your pet may have eaten chocolate or candy, don’t wait. The faster we act, the better. We typically have about a two-hour window from ingestion to safely induce vomiting and prevent toxins from being absorbed.
Even if you’re not sure when it happened, it’s still worth coming in. Getting your pet checked quickly can make all the difference.
At Southside Veterinary Clinic, we can safely make your pet vomit using an IV injection — a simple treatment that clears the stomach and helps prevent complications.
If left untreated, ingestion of chocolate or xylitol can lead to:
Heart rhythm problems
Seizures
Liver failure
In severe cases, death
Preventing Pet Poisoning This Halloween
Store all candy behind closed doors or in high cabinets.
Keep trick-or-treat bags out of reach.
Remind kids not to share candy with pets — even small bites can cause harm.
If your pet does get into candy, call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately.
Halloween should be fun for everyone, including your pets. A little extra care goes a long way toward keeping them safe.
Have a happy and safe Halloween — and if your dog or cat is dressing up, we’d love to see your costume photos!
If your pet eats Halloween candy or chocolate, call us right away. Contact Southside Veterinary Clinic.
About Our Pet Resource Blog
Everyone of the questions asked on our Pet Resource Blog is answered by a veterinarian from our clinic. You can watch a video of Dr. John Lindsay speaking on this topic here.