Halloween is the one night of the year when bowls of lollies sit at dog height and kids' treat bags get dropped on the floor. Most Halloween candy is a bad idea for dogs, and a few kinds are genuinely dangerous. This guide covers which ones, how to recognise a problem, and exactly what to do if your dog gets into the stash.
The Dangerous Ones
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs process far more slowly than people. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Cocoa powder and baking chocolate carry the most theobromine, then dark chocolate, then milk chocolate, with white chocolate the least. Even when the theobromine dose isn't high enough to be toxic, the fat and sugar can still cause vomiting, diarrhoea or pancreatitis.
How serious a case is depends on the type of chocolate, how much was eaten and the dog's weight, which is why a vet needs those details to assess it. VCA's guide to chocolate poisoning in dogs covers the signs in more depth.
Sugar-free lollies, gum and mints (xylitol)
Xylitol is a sweetener used in sugar-free lollies, gum and mints, and it is highly toxic to dogs. It can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and, in some cases, liver damage. A small amount can be a problem, so any sugar-free product a dog has eaten should be treated as an emergency until a vet says otherwise. See VCA's guide to xylitol toxicity for the details.
Anything containing grapes, raisins or macadamias
Chocolate-coated sultanas, scroggin, and white chocolate and macadamia biscuits are common at Australian Halloween parties. Grapes, sultanas, raisins and macadamia nuts are each toxic to dogs on their own, so these products combine two problems at once.
The Risky Ones
- Candy corn, gummies, jelly lollies and hard lollies. Mostly sugar, so they are unlikely to poison a dog in the way chocolate or xylitol can, but they can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Check the label, because some contain xylitol, and hard lollies and lollipop sticks are a choking and obstruction risk.
- Wrappers. Foil, plastic and paper wrappers can cause a blockage if swallowed, and dogs often eat the wrapper along with the candy.
- Fatty or rich sweets. Large amounts of buttery or chocolatey sweets can trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Halloween Candy
- Take the rest away. Remove any remaining candy and wrappers so your dog can't eat more.
- Work out what, how much and when. Check the wrappers and have the packaging on hand. Note your dog's weight.
- Call for advice straight away. Phone your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738, a 24-hour service for Australian pet owners. Do this before symptoms appear, because signs of chocolate and xylitol poisoning can be delayed.
- Don't try to make your dog vomit at home unless a vet tells you to. It can be unsafe in some situations.
- Go to the vet if told to. Take the wrappers with you.
Signs to watch for include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, a racing heart, tremors, weakness, collapse or seizures. If you see any of them, go to a vet immediately.
How to Keep Dogs Away From the Lolly Bowl
- Keep bowls and kids' treat bags well out of reach, not on a low table or the floor.
- Put the bowl somewhere your dog can't get to, and close the door if you need to.
- Remind children that Halloween candy isn't for the dog, and not to feed it at the door.
- Bin wrappers in a lidded bin, since dogs will pull a full bag out of a regular bin.
- If your dog gets worked up by trick-or-treaters, keep them in a quiet room away from the front door.
What to Offer Instead
If you want your dog to have something for the night, give a treat made for dogs. A small supply of Aussie Roo Chews is an easy option, bite-sized and kept in the cupboard. If a dog visits with its owner, ask the owner first, in case of allergies or a special diet. For something homemade, the Halloween dog treat recipes post has safe pumpkin and sweet potato ideas. Whatever you choose, treats should stay under 10 percent of your dog's daily calories.
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