Halloween pet safety: candy, costumes and trick-or-treaters

Much of it is. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs clear slowly. Xylitol in sugar-free candy and gum can cause dangerously low blood sugar quickly. Raisins can cause kidney failure. Wrappers and lollipop sticks can block the gut, and a large haul of sugary, fatty candy can cause vomiting, diarrhea or pancreatitis. Call your vet if your dog got into candy, even if they seem normal.

Anything containing chocolate is toxic, and baking chocolate, cocoa powder and dark chocolate are the most dangerous. Sugar-free candy, gum and mints with xylitol, raisin boxes, chocolate-covered raisins and candy bars with macadamia nuts are toxic too. Candy without these ingredients is not poisonous, but its sugar, fat and wrappers can still make a dog sick. For chocolate, Webvet's chocolate toxicity calculator estimates how serious the dose is.

Candy corn is not toxic the way chocolate or xylitol is, but it is almost pure sugar and does nothing good for a dog. A big candy-corn binge can cause stomach upset with vomiting and diarrhea. Mixed candy hauls that include fatty chocolate bars carry a pancreatitis risk too. Check the bag for xylitol and for chocolate-flavored versions. If your dog ate a lot, or the wrappers too, call your vet.

The liquid inside most glow sticks has low toxicity, but it tastes extremely bitter. A cat that bites one often drools heavily, foams at the mouth, gags or runs around agitated, which can look alarming. Serious poisoning is uncommon, but call your vet or a pet poison line, especially if the liquid got into your cat's eyes or pieces of plastic were swallowed.

Walk your dog before dark, then settle them in a quiet room away from the front door with water, a familiar bed and a long-lasting chew. Close the curtains and play music or white noise to cover the doorbell. Sit outside with the candy bowl if your dog reacts to knocking. If your dog has strong fear of noise or visitors, talk to your vet well before the night.

Only if your dog is comfortable in it. A costume should not restrict movement, breathing, sight, hearing or the ability to bark, and it should have no small or dangling parts that can be chewed off and swallowed. Watch for a tucked tail, lip licking, freezing or pawing at the outfit. Many dogs are happier in a bandana or nothing at all.

Move your dog away from the candy, keep the wrappers so you can read the ingredients, and work out the largest amount that could be missing. Note the time. Then call your vet, an emergency clinic, or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435. Consultation fees may apply. Do not induce vomiting at home or give any home remedy; leave that decision to your veterinarian.

Signs of chocolate poisoning often start within 2 to 12 hours and can last a day or more, up to 72 hours in severe cases. Early signs include vomiting, diarrhea, thirst and restlessness. Higher doses can cause a racing heart, tremors and seizures. Do not wait for signs before calling. A vet can act sooner when they hear early, and Webvet's chocolate toxicity calculator helps you describe the dose.

Plain cooked or canned pumpkin is safe for dogs and cats in small amounts. Pumpkin pie filling is different, because it adds sugar and spices. A carved jack-o'-lantern that has started to rot can grow mold, and moldy food can carry toxins that cause tremors, so call your vet if your pet eats one. Plain, unsalted roasted seeds are fine only in moderation.

No. Chocolate is toxic to cats, and any chocolate eaten by a cat is a reason to call a vet or poison line right away. Cats cannot taste sweetness, so they rarely eat candy for its flavor, but they do chew wrappers, ribbons, string and glow sticks. Swallowed string or ribbon needs a vet straight away, and you should never pull on a strand.