Halloween Decorations That Aren't Too Spooky For Your Pets

Petal Wilson ready to terrorize the neighborhood

Do you feel that? The nights are growing longer, the air is growing colder, and there’s something sinister lurking around every corner. While we all know Halloween candy can pose a threat to our pets and trick-or-treaters can give them a fright, this year we’re talking about a lesser-known danger that’s just as sinister. It’s a danger that lurks in plain sight, a danger that few of us ever think about, a danger that’s coming from inside the house. This year we’re talking about… Decorations.
We all enjoy turning our homes into dens of dastardly horror this time of year, but we rarely think of the plastic skeleton in the corner as an actual threat. Our fuzzy friends, on the other hand, might not recognize the difference between play danger and real danger- and as it turns out, that difference might be smaller than you think! This month we’re talking about Halloween decorations, and sharing our top tips to haunt your house without having to haunt the vet’s office. So steel your nerves, find a safe place to hunker down, and read on… If you dare.

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Pupmkin's without candles are Jules-approved decorations

1. Beware of Burning: While creepy candles and jeering jack-o-lanterns can make for some great seasonal props, be careful where you leave a fire burning! Curious and careless critters might just knock something over; at best they’ll end up with a singed tail, and at worst it could cause serious burns and damage to your home. If you’re looking for some macabre mood lighting consider using electric candles, and ensure any fire is placed firmly out of reach of your pets.
2. ​Watch Out for Wires: Whether you’re stringing up lights or trying to bring life to a stitched-together abomination in your laboratory, dangling wires can look like irresistible toys to our little loved ones. Puppies and kittens in particular love to chew on loose cords, but doing so can result in mouth burns and electrocution. Be sure to keep wires out of reach of pets, or run them through pvc or fish tank tubing to offer some extra protection!
3. Fear the Fog: While a thick coat of fog can be the perfect piece de resistance on a terrifying Halloween landscape, heavy fog can also be a grim portent of things to come. Fog itself doesn’t tend to pose a health risk, but dry ice can damage a pet’s skin while fog machine solution can be toxic. If you’re planning on introducing a little hazy horror to your Halloween, be sure to keep these supplies out of pets’ reach!
4. Oh No, Obstructions!: Vampires and zombies aren’t the only creatures plagued by an insatiable hunger for things we might find odd. While we understand that decorations aren’t for eating, our dogs and cats might have missed that memo. Fake cobwebs, corn cobs, pumpkin shells, and colorful baubles are all seasonal favorites that can cause intestinal blockages, which may require surgery to fix. Be sure to keep these goodies out of reach, and consider skipping decorations that can be easily chewed or swallowed.
5. The Real Horror: Spooky skeletons and gallons of fake blood are all well and good, but true horror is psychological. Sudden changes to their living space can be confusing and disorienting for pets, and decorations that strobe, make noise, or move unexpectedly can be especially frightening. Consider designating an area of your home as your pet’s safe room (this can also help to protect them from the stress of trick-or-treaters or party guests), and leave this undecorated so your pet always has somewhere familiar to camp out.

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Harper & Kitten pose for a purr-fectly safe fall picture

If this were a horror movie you’d have to face these dangers alone, or perhaps with a group of ill-fated friends, but fortunately it’s (probably) not. We want you all to have a Halloween that’s fun and spooky while still remaining safe, and we’re here to answer any questions you might have. If you’ve got concerns, whether they’re about decorations or general Halloween safety, feel free to get in touch! Less than half of our staff have been possessed by malevolent spirits, so our advice is usually trustworthy.

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