A pet-safe Halloween: the 6 hazards vets see most (and easy fixes)

For people, Halloween means candy, costumes and a doorbell that rings all night. For a dog or cat, it means unfamiliar smells, strangers in masks and a bowl of chocolate at nose height. Most Halloween emergencies are avoidable. Here are the hazards the ASPCA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) warn about most, with a simple fix for each.

1. Chocolate

Chocolate contains methylxanthines (mainly theobromine), which overstimulate the nervous system. According to AAHA, in severe cases that can mean hyperactivity, seizures or death. The ASPCA says chocolate in every form is dangerous for dogs and cats, especially dark and baking chocolate.

Fix: keep candy bowls and trick-or-treat bags on high counters or in a closed cabinet, and remind kids that a dog's nose will find candy hidden in a bedroom.

2. Sugar-free candy and gum (xylitol)

Xylitol, an artificial sweetener sometimes sold as "birch sugar," triggers a surge of insulin in dogs. AAHA explains that this makes blood sugar crash and can also damage the liver. The ASPCA calls it potentially life-threatening for dogs. It turns up in sugar-free gum, mints and some peanut butters.

Fix: treat sugar-free candy like medication and keep it out of reach. If your dog eats some, call a vet right away; don't wait for symptoms.

3. Wrappers and raisins

AAHA notes that foil, plastic and wax-paper wrappers can lodge in the intestines and cause a dangerous blockage. Raisins (in some "healthy" snack packs) can cause kidney failure in dogs.

Fix: have one adult sweep up wrappers after the candy haul is sorted.

4. Glow sticks, candles and decorations

Pets, cats especially, love biting into glow sticks. The ASPCA says most are labeled non-toxic but taste extremely bitter, so pets that bite one tend to drool and race around. A small treat or a sip of milk usually stops the reaction. AAHA adds that jack-o'-lanterns with real candles can get knocked over and start a fire, that hanging decorations and fake cobwebs are choking or strangulation risks, and that extension cords for animatronics can burn or shock a pet that chews them.

Fix: use LED candles, keep cords tucked away, and put glow sticks away as soon as the kids get home.

5. Costumes

The ASPCA's advice is clear: only dress up a pet you know enjoys it. A costume must not restrict movement, sight, breathing or the ability to bark or meow. Avoid headpieces and small dangling pieces that can be chewed off. Do a test fitting before the night itself, and never leave a pet in costume unsupervised. A festive bandana is a perfectly good costume.

6. The front door

A doorbell every few minutes, strangers in masks and an open door are a recipe for a dog that bolts. The ASPCA recommends keeping pets away from trick-or-treaters. If you take your dog out after dark, use a reflective collar, a secure leash and current ID.

Fix: give your dog a quiet room with a long-lasting chew or a food puzzle for the busiest hour.

If you walk the dog before the trick-or-treaters arrive, remember it's dark early. See our cold-weather and night-walk gear rankings for lights and reflective harnesses.

If something goes wrong

Call your vet or the nearest emergency clinic straight away. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both may charge a fee. It helps to know roughly what your pet ate, how much and when, so keep the wrapper if you can.

Sources: ASPCA Halloween safety tips; AAHA "How to have a pet-safe Halloween"; AVMA.