Officials Urge Pet Owners to Secure Halloween Candy

Leftover chocolate and wrappers can pose serious risks to dogs in homes across the country after Halloween.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Dogs

Officials Urge Pet Owners to Secure Halloween Candy

Live Poll

Do you keep Halloween candy stored out of reach of your dogs?

Officials are reminding pet owners that leftover Halloween candy, especially chocolate, can be dangerous for dogs. Candy bowls, treat bags, and chocolate bars can tempt pets, and dogs may reach treats left on countertops.

Why it matters

Leftover candy is expected to remain in homes for several days after Halloween, extending the period of risk for pets. Plastic wrappers and small toys can also cause problems if chewed or swallowed.

Chocolate in candy is identified as a danger to dogs, and leftover candy is expected to remain accessible in homes for the entire weekend after Halloween. The extraction provides no case counts or incident figures to quantify the risk.

The details

Dogs can get into candy stored on countertops through counter surfing, and pet owners are urged to put treats away after each use. Pets may show signs of ingestion through changes in behavior, and owners should watch for these changes.

Halloween was October 31, 2026, and this reminder was published November 1, 2026.
The leftover candy risk is expected to last through the weekend after Halloween.

Real-World Impact

Because candy often stays out for several days, dog owners face a longer window of risk than the single night of Halloween. Keeping chocolate and wrappers stored after each use is the most direct way to reduce the chance of a dog ingesting them.

Store all Halloween candy, especially chocolate, in closed containers out of a dog's reach, and put treats away after each use. Watch your dog for changes in behavior that could signal it has eaten candy or packaging.

The takeaway

Keeping Halloween candy and wrappers out of reach protects dogs from a risk that can last well beyond the holiday itself. Simple habits like storing treats after each use can prevent a trip to the veterinarian.