Locally-Owned in Oakdale and St. Paul, Minnesota

Halloween Safety Tips for Cats

A black cat in front of pumpkins.

In October of 2024, Joey Lusvardi, owner of Class Act Cats and member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, joined us on Facebook Live to discuss how cat parents can help keep their cats safe this upcoming holiday season. You can watch the Facebook Live video for more detailed information, or you can review a summary of the information below. 

The holidays pose many potential hazards for our feline friends. Here are a few tips to make Halloween a little less stressful and treacherous for our cats! 

A table with Halloween decorations including Jack-O-Lanterns, candles, and fabric pumpkins.

Decorations 

Some cats are naturally inclined to chew, and holiday decorations can be tempting. Cats may easily eat rubber spiders, chew on tinsel, ribbon, or fake spider webs, knock over glass decorations, or brush against lit candles. Hazardous scenarios like these are why we recommend that cat parents avoid placing decorations where their cat can climb or jump (such as near their cat tree, shelves, or furniture). It’s also best not to decorate your cat’s play areas and to use caution when considering if your cat can reach something – cats are surprisingly athletic creatures! 

If you do display fragile items, consider using museum putty or other temporary adhesives to prevent the items from being knocked over. You can also place cat toys in and around your decor to divert your cat’s attention with approved playthings. 

A cat playing with a cat toy.

Trick-or-Treating and Guests 

When hosting gatherings or dealing with a constant stream of Trick-or-Treaters, it’s important to keep your cats (and other pets) safe. To prevent your cat from escaping the house, here are some safety tips:  

  • Keep your cat in a separate room with food puzzles, toys, or catnip to keep them entertained.
  • For anxious pets or those reactive to doorbells or strangers, use white noise or cat-specific music playlists to drown out unwanted noise. 
  • If your cat is social and wants to be part of the action, consider using a 6-foot-tall pet gate or free-standing barriers for added security. Keep in mind that cats may still be able to climb or defeat barriers like these, so you’ll still want to know exactly where your cat is in relation to the front door. For extra fun, you can turn a gate or barrier into a Halloween decoration by adding a spooky backdrop!
  • As an added precaution, microchip your cat. 

A cat wearing an orange and black spiderweb skirt and a witch's hat in front of a background of spooky Halloween silhouettes.

Cat Costumes 

Costumes are more for humans than for cats, and most cats won’t enjoy wearing them. If you do choose to dress up your cat, keep it simple and prepare them ahead of Halloween to minimize discomfort. Use costumes with few extraneous parts and avoid hazardous pieces like small embellishments. 

Instead of a costume, consider these cat-friendly alternatives: 

  • Incorporate your cat as a prop in your costume (e.g., Team Rocket with Meowth, Jon Arbuckle with Garfield, or Tom and Jerry).
  • Use Photoshop or filters to add a digital costume or Halloween elements to a photo of your cat.
  • If your cat tolerates collars, try accessories like a festive Halloween bow tie or bandana.
  • Set up a Halloween-themed backdrop for your cat to get a photo in front of. 

These options allow your cat to be part of the fun without the stress of wearing a costume!  

A black cat in a cauldron wearing a witch's hat.

Black Cat Safety 

For years, there have been safety warnings about keeping cats, especially black cats, inside on Halloween due to fears of pranksters or animal cruelty. While it’s unclear how true these warnings are due to lack of concrete statistics, it is still a good idea for all pet owners to keep their pets indoors on Halloween night for their safety.  

Historically, the belief that black cats were “evil” or linked to witches dates back to medieval Europe, leading to the unfortunate mistreatment of cats. Interestingly, the decreased cat population may have contributed to the spread of the Bubonic and Black Plaques by allowing flea-infested rodents to thrive. The takeaway? It’s always safer to keep our feline friends close! 

A cat on a chair next to a pumpkin and in front of a sign that reads "Halloween."

We hope these tips help you and your cat have a purrrfect Halloween celebration. If your cat does experience an emergency over the holiday season, our Oakdale Urgent Care is open 2-10pm every day of the week, and our Oakdale and St. Paul ERs are open 24/7. Please call ahead of your arrival.  

To learn more about Class Act Cats or to inquiry about a cat behavior consultation, visit their website here! 

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