5 Safety Tips for Halloween Pet Sitting

Halloween can be a mixed bag for pets—while some might revel in the excitement, others find the festivities overwhelming or scary. Even if you’ve cared for your Rover pet before, it can be tough to predict exactly how they’ll respond to repeated doorbell ringing, costumes, decorations, and spooky noises.

To help your Halloween go smoothly, we’ve rounded up our best strategies for keeping canine and feline guests happy and safe, from preparation and practice to tips for the night itself.

1. Gather Info Ahead of Time

Finding out how your furry guest has responded to Halloweens past can help ensure a smooth Halloween present. Here are some simple ways to gather information:

• Reach out to the owner. Send a message along the lines of: “How does [pet’s name] typically respond to trick-or-treaters? Any tips for making them feel comfortable on Halloween?”
• Review the pet’s profile. Scan the pet’s Rover profile and reviews for helpful behavior notes, especially around kids or new situations.
• Consider past behavior. If this is a repeat client, think back to their past stays and behavior with visitors and noises.
• Conduct a doorbell test. Before the festivities kick off, try knocking or ringing the doorbell and observe your Rover pet’s reaction. If they show signs of stress, you can plan to minimize their exposure to the sound during trick-or-treating.

2. Pay Extra Attention to Escape-Proofing

After the Fourth of July, Halloween is the second highest-risk night for pet escapes. Spooked or overly excited pets might attempt a getaway when the door opens for trick-or-treaters. This risk is even higher for pets who are already anxious about staying in an unfamiliar home.

You can double down on your escape-proofing plan with these tips:

• Set up baby gates. Use a pet gate to cordon off a secure area for pets away from the front door. You can also install a temporary gate at the front door to prevent clever pets from slipping out.
• Close windows and draw shades. Keeping windows closed masks outdoor noises and keeps small pets from escaping, while pulling the shades blocks out scary sights that might cause pets to bolt.
• Keep dogs leashed and double-check collars. While they might find it unusual to be leashed indoors, this prevents them from darting out the door when trick-or-treaters show up.
• Create a pet zone. ​​Designate a quiet pet zone away from the action, like a separate room, a crate, or an area blocked off with gates. If things get too stressful, your Rover pet will have a peaceful retreat.
• Avoid leaving pets outside. If you have a backyard, consider only letting dogs out under close supervision or on leash, even if it’s fenced in.

Get help if you need it

All the strange sights and sounds of Halloween can be alarming to a pet who is already anxious, making them more likely to keep running once they escape.

When you call Rover, you’ll get advice on the best techniques for quickly recovering your runaway. You’ll also get the assistance of our partner organizations that are experts in dog safety. We’re here 24/7 at 888-727-1140.

3. Do Some Extra Pet-Proofing

The week of Halloween is the Pet Poison Helpline’s busiest, with a 12% increase in emergency calls. With treats and decorations all around, it’s not hard to see why. To keep your Rover pets safe, check your home for potential temptations and stay alert.

• Keep candy out of reach. It might seem excessive to store all candy in a high cabinet secured with locks or child-safety latches—but it’s hard to guess just how skillful a new pet is at getting into things. Remind everyone in your home about the danger that candy poses for pets, and discourage kids from keeping secret stashes in their bedrooms.
• Use pet-safe decorations. Wagging tails and curious kitten paws can easily knock over a candle and cause a fire. Avoid open flames and use battery-operated lights instead. Look out too for choking or tangling hazards like electrical cords, rubber eyeballs, and fake cobwebs.
• Watch for glow sticks. While they’re not highly toxic, a pet who eats the goo won’t be happy. Store them out of reach, or avoid them altogether. If a pet does get into one, rinse their mouth with water immediately and reach out to a pet poison helpline for advice.
• Secure trash cans. Candy wrappers can be a choking hazard, so dispose of them right away. Also, make sure your trash can is secure, as some dogs may attempt a break-in.
• Do a “dress rehearsal.” If you’ll be dressing up, help your animal friends feel more comfortable by letting them see you in your costume before the big night. Use treats and praise for positive reinforcement.
• Be attentive during walks. Stay vigilant for spooky decor that might scare your Rover dog during walks. Animatronics or strange sounds can cause anxiety and potentially lead to a runaway pet. Always ensure your guest is properly leashed and tagged in case they make a break for it.

4. Helping Anxious Pets Through Halloween

For anxious pets, Halloween can be a lot. With the constant sound of the doorbell, strange costumes, and noisy crowds outside, even ordinarily calm pets might feel stressed and look to you for help.

Here’s how you can support anxious cats and dogs during Halloween:

• Tire them out. A tired pet is often a calmer pet. Aim for a walk or play session in the early afternoon, before the festivities kick off. For cats, try burning off excess energy with a laser toy, catnip toys, or a dangling wand.
• Create a safe space. Before trick-or-treating starts, set up a quiet area away from the front door. To drown out the sound of trick-or-treaters, use white noise or soft music. Include a cozy bed and items that encourage self-soothing behaviors like chew toys, snuffle mats, and scratching posts for cats.
• Learn your guests’ preferences. Having personal comforts can make a big difference. Ask the owner what their pet usually finds soothing. It could be a special treat, game, blanket, or type of toy. Include these items in their safe space.
• Consider calming pheromones. While results vary, pheromone diffusers or sprays may help some pets feel calmer. These products are species-specific, so it’s important to use dog pheromone products for dogs and cat pheromone products for cats.
• Engage their minds. Redirecting your guests’ focus can help them cope. Keep dogs occupied with distractions like a frozen stuffed KONG, snuffle mat, or long-lasting chews. Cats and dogs alike benefit from puzzle toys and lick mats.

5. Have Fun!

Once you’ve got safety squared away, have some fun! Halloween is a great chance to get creative and make your Rover pets’ stay a memorable one. Here are some fun ways to celebrate the season:

• Make seasonal treats. If your guest is allowed to have new treats, try your hand at some pet-friendly Halloween goodies. Cats might like a frozen pumpkin push-pop, while dogs can have pumpkin popsicles or banana & coconut bat cookies. Not a whiz in the kitchen? Store-bought pumpkin treats are a convenient substitute, and pets will be none the wiser.
• Dress up, but keep it simple. If your Rover guests are comfortable with it, dress them up in simple accessories instead of a full-on costume. Great options include a Halloween bandana, a bowtie, or a light-up collar.
• Capture the moment. Don’t forget to update clients with fun pictures of their pet enjoying the festivities. Take snapshots of your Rover pet enjoying homemade treats or posing in their Halloween gear. Owners will also appreciate seeing their pets relaxing in their cozy sanctuary, away from the scary noises and activity.