Skip to main content

My dog ate Halloween candy – here’s what to do even if your dog has no symptoms

Follow these steps if your dog eats Halloween candy

A cockapoo lies on their back on a chair, covered in Halloween candy
Georgi Baird / Shutterstock

Although you can certainly make canine-approved Halloween candy for dogs, commercial Halloween candy (aka, the kind you stock up on in October) is absolutely not meant for pups. Sometimes, though, sneaky dogs infiltrate the trick-or-treat bag.

Our fur babies don’t know they’re putting something dangerous into their mouths (in fact, it probably smells like something yummy), so it’s up to us, their beloved pet parents, to keep them safe. Luckily, that’s exactly what we’re here to help with. From treating a possible case of canine food poisoning to preventing these incidents altogether, these are the five things you should do if your dog breaks into the Halloween candy. Don't wait to take action!

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

What You Need

  • Patience

  • Vet or poison control on the phone

  • Water

  • Lockable container or dog-proof container

Dog in Cookie Monster Halloween costume in front of plate of treats
Tracy Hiria / Shutterstock

My dog ate Halloween candy: Here's what do to, in step-by-step instructions

Halloween is all about embracing the spooky, but it's a little too spooky when you find out that your furry friend got into the Halloween candy. As long as you act quickly, though, you can do a lot to keep the situation from getting out of hand. You've got this!

Step 1: First, keep your dog nearby in case of an emergency--even if they show no symptoms

Make sure your dog doesn’t need any kind of emergency care before you go about your day. Some symptoms of major problems like choking can begin instantly, while other symptoms can take hours or even days to manifest. Candy wrappers, for example, can cause intestinal blockage that isn't noticeable at first.

Even if you can’t see an immediate problem, keep your dog nearby so you can watch for symptoms. This will also make your call to a vet or poison control center quicker and easier, as they may ask you to check your pet for certain signs of poisoning while you’re still on the phone.

Step 2: If you can find out what he ate, you'll be one step ahead.

If you can, it will be immensely helpful to find out what type of candy your dog ate. This way, you can look up any ingredients that you know he ingested, allowing you to act quickly if necessary. Even if the ingredients aren't necessarily toxic, East Valley Animal Hospital notes, issues like pancreatitis can occur. If you conclude that your pup ate chocolate, which can be deadly to dogs, call an animal poison helpline immediately.

Don’t worry about calculating how much he ate, though — the professional on the phone will help guide you through this in the next steps.

Step 3: For the best advice, call a veterinarian or poison control hotline as soon as you're able.

This is the most important step if you suspect that your pet has gotten into the Halloween candy, as the folks in vet offices and animal poison control centers will know exactly what to do. They’ll ask you questions to determine what your dog ate, how much, and what needs to be done next. Whatever you do, make sure to follow their instructions as closely as you can.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Helpline phone number is 888-426-4435. They are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. You can also ask your trusted veterinarian for their favorite emergency resources.

Step 4: Make sure your dog stays hydrated no matter how minor the incident may have been.

When the ordeal is over — or at least when you know your pet is safe — it’s time to take care of non-emergency needs. Hydration will be ultra-important in the event of even mild poisoning, since many toxins dehydrate and exhaust the body. Not only will water replenish your pup’s hydration needs, but it’ll also help flush out anything harmful that's still in his system.

Be sure not to give your pet any food or water until after you've spoken to a veterinarian or animal poison control specialist, as it can make some situations worse.

Step 5: Bring your dog to a vet if advised, though you don't need to wait if you're concerned.

Even if the experts at your vet’s office or poison control center don’t think it’s necessary for your dog to visit a clinic, you can still bring him in. You may need to go to an emergency veterinarian’s office for walk-in care, though. When in doubt, don't be afraid to give them a call.

You will want to take your dog to see a doctor if your pup has prolonged vomiting, excessive diarrhea, tremors, seizures, or other strange behaviors. You know your fur baby best, so if something is wrong, don’t hesitate to get help. As the old saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry!

Dog sits in ghost headband with trick-or-treat basket
otsphoto / Shutterstock

How to prevent your dog from eating Halloween candy

Thankfully, you can stop most candy-related incidents before they even begin; it just takes a little time and planning. Here are a few easy ways to keep all the candy away from prying paws:

Step 1: Don’t take your dog trick-or-treating, as cute as their costume may be.

As much as you’d like to have your four-legged friend tagging along to show off their new doggy costume, trick-or-treating can be prime time for candy stealing. While you were looking around at all the decorations or keeping an eye on your kids, your pup could very well have been snacking on something he found on the ground — it happens!

Step 2: Use a dog-proof container to keep candy safe from prying paws.

When you bring home this year’s loot, use a lockable container that your dog can’t open. A ziplock bag may be great for storage, but it will only go so far before succumbing to your dog’s sharp teeth. Most lockable, reusable containers will be just fine, though you can opt for something cute, too, as long as it can’t be opened by paws or a nose.

Step 3: Store candy high up on shelves or in cabinets your dog can't reach.

Finally, make sure to store your candy stash somewhere inaccessible to your dog — like a high pantry shelf. This step is especially important if your container isn’t completely dog-proof. Who knows, this strategy might help you limit your or your kids' candy intake, too!

A chocolate brown lab licks his lips.
Janet / Shutterstock

What Halloween candy ingredients are most dangerous to dogs?

Even though no candy should be eaten by a pup, some ingredients are much more dangerous to canines than others. Even though a call to Animal Poison Control will give you an idea of how serious the situation is, you may want to skip the questions in certain situations. A little bit of time can make a big difference in cases of severe poisoning or illness, so if your dog has consumed something particularly dangerous--go straight to the emergency vet.

Some of the most dangerous candy ingredients for dogs include:

  • Chocolate, especially dark chocolate
  • Xylitol, an artificial sweetener
  • Bubble gum (often contains xylitol)
  • Raisins
  • Macadamia nuts

By being smart with your candy storage and knowing what to do in case of emergency, you and your pup are in for a fun (and safe) Halloween! You won’t need to spend the whole holiday on high alert if you know the candy is where your dog can’t reach it. Then, even he will be able to enjoy the festivities of All Hallow’s Eve.

Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Can dogs eat cucumbers? The facts revealed
Your pup may love this watery treat
Beagle dog asks for cucumber in the kitchen

Some snacks are only for humans, but others, your pets can enjoy, too. Vegetables, in particular, often make a great treat for dogs because they're generally low in sugar and calories. Some veggies have so much water that they won't pack the pounds on your pup at all. Still, you don't ever want to replace their meals with too many treats of any kind, even green ones. So, can dogs eat cucumbers? We'll walk you through whether to offer this snack to your beastie and how to prepare it.
Are cucumbers safe for dogs?

As long as you don't overdo it, yup, you can give your pupper cukes. As we said at the top, this vegetable fruit consists of about 96% water, so your four-legged friend is mostly just drinking while they munch on it. However, don't take that as a sign that they can devour a whole bowl of them. Too many will hurt their tummy and can cause digestive issues, like vomiting and diarrhea. One last thing: Check with your vet before providing Fido with this treat. Among other things, cucumbers can interact with a few medications.
Are cucumbers good for dogs?

Read more
How much should newborn puppies eat? Follow this feeding guide
Here's what you need to know about feeding newborn puppies
Bottle feeding a newborn puppy

Having newborn puppies around can be such a gift, but there's also a lot of work involved. You need to keep their enclosure clean, make sure they're fed, and stay on top of their health in a multitude of ways. Luckily, we're here to help you navigate your new puppies' feeding routine with a newborn puppy feeding chart.

Whenever possible, newborns should consume their mother's nutrient-rich milk, which helps protect them from illness while their immune systems develop. It's the perfect food for them! However, it's not always possible for a mama dog to feed her litter all by herself.

Read more
Should dogs eat pork? Here’s what you need to know
How to prepare pork to share with your pup
A dachshund dog eats a sausage

It's no secret that dogs are carnivores. Meat and protein sources make up a large portion of the canine diet, and the smell of meat can get dogs drooling. Cooking chicken for dogs is a rite of passage among pet parents, but what about other meats?
If you find yourself wondering, "Should dogs eat pork?" -- you're not alone. Pork is a less commonly discussed protein compared to chicken, beef, or even turkey, so it can be tricky to know whether or not to share this food with your dog. Luckily, we're here to clear things up for your pup's safety and your convenience.

Should dogs eat pork?

Read more