Halloween and pets: keeping dogs and cats safe (UK)

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats, and PDSA warns that even a small amount can be fatal. Some sweets contain xylitol, also called birch sugar, a sweetener that's dangerous to pets. Keep the sweet bowl and the wrappers well out of reach.

If your pet eats something they shouldn't, call your vet straight away and tell them what it was and roughly how much. Don't wait for symptoms.

• Keep your pet in a quiet room away from the front door while trick-or-treaters are about, with their bed, water and somewhere to hide.
• Put your dog's lead on before you open the door, so they can't slip out.
• If knocks at the door upset your pet, leave a bowl of sweets outside with a note asking people not to knock.
• Check their collar and tag are on and their microchip details are up to date, in case they do get out.

Walk your dog before it gets dark, so you miss the costumes and any early fireworks, and keep them on a lead.

Keep cats in at night around Halloween. Cats Protection points out that dark autumn evenings bring more risk from roads, noisy parties and fireworks.

Most pets find costumes stressful. Cats Protection warns that cats can hurt themselves trying to get free of clothing, and Dogs Trust suggests keeping dressing up for humans. If you want your pet to join in, a themed collar or lead is a kinder way to do it.

Masks and costumes on people can frighten pets too, so give them space from visitors in fancy dress.

• Keep carving tools and lit candles away from pets. Battery tea lights are safer in pumpkins.
• Cats can get tangled in fake cobwebs, chew through fairy light wires or pull down hanging decorations.
• Keep small decorations away from pets that chew: swallowing one can cause a blockage in the gut.

In England and Wales, fireworks go on sale from 15 October, so the bangs often start around Halloween, weeks before Bonfire Night. Our fireworks guide covers how to prepare, and when to talk to your vet if your pet is very frightened.

Start looking straight away and work through our lost dog or lost cat checklist. A QR tag on their collar means whoever finds them can reach you in seconds.