24 October 2025
Halloween’s slowly becoming a thing in New Zealand. Every year, more houses are decked out with cobwebs, pumpkins, and fairy lights, and the trick-or-treaters are getting braver too!
It’s all good fun for us humans, but for our pets, it can be a pretty stressful night. The costumes, the noises, the constant knocking on the door can be a lot to take in. So, here are some easy ways to keep your furry (and feathered) friends safe and calm this Halloween.
If you can, keep your cats and smaller dogs inside on Halloween night, and maybe even the night before and after. While we don’t usually have massive street parties, the extra noise or the odd prankster can still unsettle pets.
If your home gets busy, set up a little “safe room” where your pet can relax. Add their favourite bed, toys, and maybe a soft light. Close the curtains and turn off any flashing decorations to help them feel calm.
All the knocking and doorbell ringing can really stress pets out, or worse, tempt them to make a run for it. Try keeping them in another room while you’re handing out lollies.
If you’d rather not have trick-or-treaters stopping by, turn off your outdoor lights, close the curtains, and pop a friendly sign on your door asking people not to knock or disturb.
You could also leave a bowl of lollies or treats outside with a note letting visitors help themselves. It’s a nice way to join in without the chaos.
For dogs who get overexcited or bark at every sound, a baby gate or barrier can help keep them safely contained. It keeps things calmer and saves your pets (and your nerves) a bit of stress.
A bit of background sound can help drown out all the excitement. Try leaving the TV or radio on low or play some soft music. There are even “pet relaxation” playlists online if your furry friend is particularly sensitive. It creates a nice buffer against those random knocks and sudden shouts outside.
We all love a good sugar rush, but chocolate, lollies, and anything sweetened with xylitol are toxic for pets, especially dogs.
Whether you’re handing out treats at the door, or you’ve been trick or treating yourself, keep your treats up high or in closed cupboards, and don’t leave wrappers or sweet bowls on the table. Even a small amount of chocolate can make your pet sick.
Pumpkins, lanterns, and fake cobwebs look great, but they can also cause your pet harm. Keep candles, wires, and small decorations out of reach, and don’t let curious noses get too close to anything hot or sharp.
After Halloween, do a quick tidy-up around your yard and driveway. Pick up any confetti, string, or costume bits that your pet might chew or swallow.
If you’re out walking your dog on or around Halloween night, choose a time of day when trick or treaters are unlikely to be around. So late afternoon before it gets dark, or later at night when trick or treaters have been out and gone home. Some decorations have flashing lights or spooky sounds that can really spook pets.
Keep your lead a little shorter too, just in case your pup decides to bolt at the sight of a ghost or a giant inflatable pumpkin.
Halloween in New Zealand isn’t exactly chaos, but it’s still a good time to make sure your pet’s ID tag and microchip details are up to date.
If your pet does go missing after being spooked, check with your local vet, animal shelter, and community Facebook groups, Kiwis are great at helping each other out.
Pay attention to how your pet’s coping throughout the night. If they’re pacing, hiding, or panting, they’re probably feeling anxious. Give them some extra cuddles or let them retreat to their safe spot.
If they’d rather stay out of the action completely, that’s totally fine too.
Halloween might not be as huge here as it is overseas, but more neighbourhoods across Aotearoa are joining the fun each year. That means extra noise, costumes, and visitors, all of which can be unsettling for pets.
With a bit of preparation and a cosy spot ready for them to retreat to, your pets can stay calm while you enjoy the festivities.
Whether you’re handing out lollies, heading out trick-or-treating with the kids, or relaxing at home, keeping your pets safe and comfortable helps make Halloween a good time for everyone, humans and animals alike.
