Halloween Candy That's Dangerous for Dogs (and What to Do If Your Dog Eats Some)

Halloween is one of the best nights of the year for costumes, candy and doorbells. It's also one of the busiest nights of the year for emergency vets. Candy bowls sit at nose height, kids drop wrappers on the floor, and a full trick-or-treat bag left on the couch is basically an open invitation.

We live with three dogs here, two of them Labradors, so we know how fast a curious nose can find something it shouldn't. Here's what to watch for this Halloween, and exactly what to do if your dog gets into the stash.

Note: This article is general information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you think your dog ate something harmful, call your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

1. Chocolate

Chocolate is the classic Halloween danger. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs process much more slowly than people do, so a small amount can have a big effect.

• The darker, the worse. Milk chocolate is the least toxic, then semi-sweet, then dark chocolate. Baker's chocolate is the most dangerous of all.
• Signs to watch for: vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, panting, extreme thirst, peeing a lot, and a racing heart. Severe cases can lead to tremors, seizures and heart problems.
• Symptoms can take hours to show up. A dog who seems fine right after eating chocolate may not be fine later. Call anyway.

2. Sugar-free candy and gum (xylitol)

This is the one many dog owners don't know about. Xylitol is a sweetener found in a lot of sugar-free gum, mints and candy (it's sometimes listed as "birch sugar"). For dogs, even a very small amount can cause a sudden, dangerous drop in blood sugar, which can lead to seizures. Larger amounts can damage the liver.

• Signs to watch for: vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, lethargy, collapse or seizures.
• Treat it as an emergency. Don't wait for symptoms. Call your vet as soon as you know or suspect your dog ate it.
• Check the label on anything sugar-free that comes home in the trick-or-treat bag.

3. Raisins (including chocolate-covered ones)

Some trick-or-treaters bring home little boxes of raisins, and chocolate-covered raisins show up in a lot of mixed bags. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, and there's no known "safe" amount. Some dogs get seriously ill from just a few.

• Signs to watch for: vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and drinking and peeing much more (or much less) than usual.
• Call right away if your dog eats any raisins or grapes, even if they seem fine.

4. Wrappers and lollipop sticks

Dogs don't unwrap their candy first. Foil and plastic wrappers, and the sticks from lollipops, can get stuck in the stomach or intestines and cause a blockage. Some of these cases need surgery.

• Signs to watch for: vomiting, not wanting to eat, straining, diarrhea, or a sore belly.
• Tell your vet how many wrappers or sticks might be missing. That number really helps.

5. Candy corn and other sugary treats

Plain sugary candy isn't toxic the way chocolate and xylitol are, but a big haul of it can cause a bad upset stomach. In some dogs, a rich or sugary binge can trigger pancreatitis, a painful condition that can show up a day or more later. Hard candies are also a choking risk.

• Signs to watch for: vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, a painful belly, or a dog who just isn't acting like themselves.

What to Do If Your Dog Gets Into the Candy

1. Move your dog away from the candy and pick up what's left.
2. Figure out what they ate. Grab the wrappers or bag and make your best guess at how much is gone.
3. Call for help right away. Don't wait for symptoms. Call your regular vet, your nearest emergency vet, or an animal poison control line:
   • ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
   • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
   Both are open 24/7. Both usually charge a consultation fee.
4. Don't make your dog throw up unless a vet tells you to. Doing it the wrong way can cause more harm.
5. Have the details ready: your dog's weight, what they ate, how much, and about when.

Save those numbers in your phone now. You'll be glad you did if you ever need them at 10 p.m. on October 31st.

Easy Ways to Keep Halloween Dog-Safe

• Keep the candy bowl up high, or in a closed cabinet between doorbell rings.
• Make a "candy check" rule for kids. Bags get sorted at the table, not on the floor, and they go somewhere the dog can't reach.
• Do a wrapper sweep at the end of the night, especially under couches and in the car.
• Give your dog their own treat. A dog-safe chew or a stuffed toy keeps them busy while you hand out candy.
• Give them a quiet room. Constant doorbells and costumes stress out a lot of dogs. A calm space with the door closed also stops door-dashing.

Dress the Part (Your Dog Can Keep Their Fur)

If you'd rather wear the Halloween spirit than feed it to your dog, our Halloween Collection has you covered. Lab people will love the Laboodor tee. The Ghost Walking Ghost Dog tee is a spooky-season favorite. And for anyone whose dog has ever "borrowed" something they shouldn't have, the Dog Stealing Bone From Skeleton tee will feel a little too real.

Have a safe, happy Halloween, and give your pup an extra (dog-safe) treat from us.