Halloween is almost here, and for many people it will be scary in a fun way, but it could be scary for pets.

Veterinarians say the threats to animals, though, can be real if pet owners aren’t careful.

“We always see a handful of pets, a handful of dogs, usually around this time of the year, who get into the big bucket of Halloween candy, eat a whole bunch of it,” Dr. Janine Calabro, medical director for Georgetown’s VEG ER for Pets, said.

She said chocolate and xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free candies, can make dogs very sick. Pet owners should keep Halloween treats and children’s candy hauls well out of reach. Decorations can also create problems, as some dogs mistake them for toys and end up swallowing items they shouldn’t.

Pet owners should also use caution if they bring dogs along while trick-or-treating. Costumes, crowds and other distractions can be stressful for some animals.

“I’ve also seen dogs slip their leads or get away from their people at Halloween and then have a traumatic incident, like being hit by a car or something,” she said.

If you do take your dog trick-or-treating, Calabro said it’s a good idea to make sure their microchip information is up to date in case they get away.

With trick-or-treaters coming to the door throughout the evening, pet owners should also be mindful of dogs that may try to slip out an open front door.

If pets do wear costumes, Calabro said owners should make sure they are comfortable and don’t contain anything a dog could eat.

“We also don’t want them wearing anything that could potentially block their sight or block their hearing or their breathing,” she said.

If a dog seems stressed by costumes, crowds or all the activity around Halloween, Calabro said the safest option may be to leave them at home.

“They’re going to be happier there. They’re going to be less stressed there,” she said.

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