Updated October 2026: now covering Bonfire Night and the fireworks season as well as Halloween.
The evenings are drawing in and the spookiest time of year is nearly here. Halloween brings plenty of fun, a lot of tasty treats and, for many dogs, a run of new and unusual experiences. Straight after it comes Bonfire Night, and the fireworks often carry on well into November. Some dogs take it all in their stride; others find these few weeks genuinely unsettling. Here are our top tips for keeping your dog safe, calm and happy through the whole season.
Chocolate and sweets
Be careful where you stash the goodies. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and sweets can cause anything from an upset stomach to a dangerous blockage that needs surgery. Sugar-free sweets are a particular worry, as many contain xylitol, which is very dangerous for dogs even in small amounts. Wherever you keep this year’s treats, whether it’s a bag of trick or treating hauls or a bowl by the door for visitors, make sure it’s well out of reach of a curious nose. If you think your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t, call your vet straight away rather than waiting for symptoms.
Pumpkins, candles and costumes
Plain cooked pumpkin is a tasty and nutritious treat for many dogs, but keep an eye out for old carved pumpkins after Halloween. People often leave them in the woods for wildlife, and inquisitive dogs are quick to help themselves. Mouldy, decomposing pumpkin can contain toxins that make dogs seriously ill. If your dog is prone to a woodland buffet, it may be worth keeping them on the lead for a week or two, walking where you can see what’s on the ground, or using a well-fitted basket muzzle.
Indoors, keep candle-lit pumpkins somewhere a waggy tail can’t knock them over, and keep glow sticks and small decorations out of reach. If your dog wears a costume, make sure it’s comfortable, doesn’t cover their eyes, ears or mouth, and comes off at the first sign they’re not enjoying it.
Trick or treaters
Some dogs love a knock at the door and can’t wait to greet every visitor. Others find a stream of strangers in masks and costumes worrying. Giving your dog a quiet place to retreat to, away from the front door, helps on both counts: it lets them escape the excitement, and it keeps them safe while the door is opening and closing all evening. That might be their crate, a cosy den behind a baby gate, or a room of their own.
Reports of lost dogs often rise around Halloween and Bonfire Night. With the door opening more often, loud bangs and people walking about in unfamiliar costumes, a startled dog can bolt in seconds. Check that your dog’s microchip details are up to date and that they’re wearing a collar and ID tag with your name and address, as the law requires.
For some households the simplest option is to avoid the doorbell altogether. We’ve made our own ‘No Trick or Treating’ sign for you to download and print (there’s even one for the children to colour in).
Bonfire Night and the fireworks season
Fireworks don’t stop on 31 October. Bonfire Night on 5 November is the big one, but displays tend to run for several weeks either side, and then again at New Year. For a dog with sensitive hearing, sudden bangs and flashes can be very frightening.
- Start early. If this is your dog’s first fireworks season, sound desensitisation can help. Play recordings like those from Dogs Trust very quietly while your dog is relaxed, and build up slowly over several weeks.
- Walk before dark. Get their walk done in daylight, before the displays begin, and keep them on the lead.
- Close the curtains, turn on the TV or radio. Familiar sound helps muffle the bangs, and drawn curtains hide the flashes.
- Keep doors and windows shut, and check the garden is secure before letting them out.
- Stay calm and stay home. Let your dog come to you for comfort, and try not to leave them alone on the busiest nights.
- Talk to your vet if your dog’s anxiety is severe. There are treatments and calming aids that can help, and it’s best to plan these well ahead.
A safe space of their own
Whether it’s the doorbell or the fireworks, the single most helpful thing for many dogs is a quiet, cosy den they already know and love: somewhere away from windows and the front door, with familiar bedding and something calming to chew. If you’d like to make the most of your dog’s crate this season, we’ve put together a separate guide on using a crate to support your dog through Halloween and Bonfire Night, and you can see how a crate can become part of your home in our dog crate furniture designs.
Top tips for the night
- Make sure your dog has a good walk well before nightfall.
- Prepare a safe, cosy space away from the front door.
- Check their collar, ID tag and microchip details.
- Keep chocolate, sweets and decorations out of reach.
- Close curtains and keep some background noise on.
- Stay home with them if you can, and enjoy the evening together.
From everyone at The Pet Carpenter, we hope you and your dog have a happy and peaceful Halloween and Bonfire Night, however you’re celebrating. If you’ve found these tips helpful, sign up to our newsletter using the Subscribe box at the bottom of this page, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to be the first to hear about new articles.
