You may be tempted to share Halloween candy with your pets, but some items can be hazardous to our furry friends. Halloween is full of many candy options, and while we and our children can delight in most of the treats given out, our pets can't.

Veterinarians want to remind pet parents to cover the basics before deciding whether to let their pets enjoy treats. Because your routine will differ, ensure you have a collar for your pets.

Have a plan to ensure your pet doesn't escape when you open the door for trick-or-treaters. If you are going to put your pet in a costume, make sure it fits well and doesn't trip them up. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, some owners decide to have their pets confined to another room during Halloween activities to make it easier on the pets and less stressful.

In addition to not giving your sweet fur friend any of the following, don't forget to tell anyone with you or visiting for candy not to give them candy. You can also have their normal treats on hand while Halloween is happening so you can have them share in the fun but with their own type of food.

No treats? No problem. According to Pet MD, there are plenty of vegetables pets can eat, including the following:

  • Celery
  • Green Beans
  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Brocolli
  • Zucchini
  • Bell Peppers
  • Cauliflower
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Spinach
  • Mushrooms

The following Halloween Candies are Hazardous or Fatal to Pets:

Candy Corn
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Never Give Your Pet Candy Corn

Candy Corn may look like it would be an innocent treat you could give to your dog or cat, but it's mostly sugar which is not good for your furry friend.

According to pet insurance company Trupanion,

From high levels of sugar and food coloring chemicals to corn syrup and calorie-heavy marshmallow, these popular Halloween treats should never be offered to pets or left out in the open.

The last thing you want to do on a Halloween night is to deal with a sick pet that has to be taken to the emergency clinic of a pet hospital.

Lollipop
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You Can't Give Lollipops to Pets

Lollipops are very dangerous to pets because of the choking hazard. Your pet can easily gobble up a piece of lollipop faster than you can get to them to take it away.

According to Pet MD, a lollipop can block your pet's windpipe. Even if your pet is able to swallow the candy, there is a chance it could also lead to intestinal blockage for your furry family member.

Hard Candy
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Hard Candy Can't Be Given to a Pet

According to the experts, it's not a good idea to give any hard candy to a pet. It can do exactly the same thing to your pet as a lollipop, meaning it can block their windpipe or get stuck in their intestinal tract.

Chocolate
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Never Give a Furry Friend Chocolate

When it comes to chocolate, this can be poisonous to cats and dogs. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, chocolate, no matter the kind, can be toxic even in a small dose.

Our pets can get restless, start panting, get diarrhea, and throw up; those are just a few of the things that can happen when you let your dog or cat have chocolate. You'll need to immediately take your pet for emergency care.

Dog with Blanket Covering Him
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Never Give a Pet Sugar-Free Candy (Xylitol)

Plenty of candy, sugar-free candy, and other foods contain Xylitol these days. It gives food a sweet taste to food without sugar. Web MD points out that Xylitol can cause diarrhea and gas in humans, and you need to take your pet to an emergency clinic if they eat this as it can be extremely harmful.

The Food and Drug Administration points out that the substance is toxic to dogs and should be avoided. And, according to the FDA, there are many foods that contain it, and we may not even think about it; peanut butter is a great example. Many people give a little peanut butter as a treat, but lower-calorie products can contain Xylitol. The following is a list of common food items that contain the sweetener:

    • breath mints
    • baked goods
    • cough syrup
    • children’s and adult chewable vitamins
    • mouthwash
    • toothpaste
    • some peanut and nut butters
    • over-the-counter medicines
    • dietary supplements
    • sugar-free desserts, including "skinny" ice cream