Halloween 2026: Safety & Fun (and a spooky story)

Hi everyone and welcome to this Halloween episode of Val Talk’s Pets. It’s tomorrow, so let’s get to some fun things and some safety things. Let’s get spooky!

Halloween Safety for Dogs and Cats

So, let’s get the safety protocols dealt with first.

Halloween Costumes and Trick or Treating

Pets have been included in Halloween for awhile now and they love to participate with their families especially Trick or Treating. Halloween costumes are a big thing now in pet stores and other outlets that carry pet products. Many pets participate in Trick or Treating sporting a costume to be a part of the family.

This part is fantastic. If your pet will let you put a costume on them, make sure it is not too uncomfortable and that they can see where they are going.

Halloween Candy and Pet Safety

The other part we have to be super mindful of is not letting the dog eat any candy that may have been discarded or given to them by a child.

Just as all the goodies are checked out by a parent for the kids, a dog or cat cannot indulge in the candy booty. This is really important because you could end up at the emergency vet clinic essentially ruining Halloween and your wallet.

A Special Halloween Treat for Dogs

One tip I suggest for people giving out treats is to go to your pet specialty store and pick up some small bags of dog treats.

For example, Benny Bullys has small 17 gram Mini Bites in a package for under $5.00. You could buy a few and if anyone has their dog with them while trick or treating, you could give out a bag for the dog. This way it is sealed, and safe and the dog can enjoy some treats too.

Keeping Cats and Dogs Safe at Home

As for our feline friends, the most important thing is to make sure they are in a secure place within the home. Never, let your cat out on Halloween. The implications here are too disturbing to outline.

During the time that you are shelling out, the cat needs to be safely secured so that it doesn’t sneak out the door while filling treat bags.

And this goes for dogs at home as well. If they are perfectly behaved and will not go out the door when shelling out, then letting them be a part of the candy give away could be fun.

But, if they are spooked by the costumes, (perfect wording here) or bark at strangers or are prone to run out the door, creating chances for children to be knocked down, or knocked downstairs, it is probably a really good idea to have the dog in a separate room during the trick or treating time.

Even so you know your dog, a large dog barking at children could be really scary, and not in the good Halloween way. Saying to children and their parents, “Oh he’s harmless” isn’t good enough. Put yourself in the children or their parent’s shoes.

So, let’s be safe and follow all the best practices for our pets and really enjoy a fun Halloween.

Remembering Our Beloved Pets on October 27th

Speaking of fun and maybe a bit of nostalgia, depends on how you see things.

Leading up to Halloween, you can celebrate October 27th which is a special night part of the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, which honours the spirits of deceased loved ones.

On the 27th pet parents can celebrate a “Night to feel their paws again.” This is the night that our lost pets come back to visit us. It is believed that the souls of our deceased pets visit to bring comfort and remembrance.

In the areas where Dia de Muertos is celebrated and the night to feel their paws again, pet parents set up altars with photos, favourite toys and treats to welcome their pets back home. The altar and the items symbolize the comfort and care that pets have provided to their parents.

Creating an Ofrenda to Honour Our Pets

The idea is to create an Ofrenda or offering. The Toronto Humane Society suggests selecting a meaningful spot. This is a place where candles and photos can be placed safely. If you haven’t got any photos a drawn likeness will do.

The THS says that traditional items can also be used. Candles to light their way home, Marigolds whose bright colour and scent are said to guide spirits back, water to refresh from their long journey, and symbolic bread to be shared with all visiting spirits.

You can also play the sound of a toy or say their name, anything you think marks their presence.

A Beautiful Tradition of Love and Remembrance

This is a lovely tradition that to be honest, I didn’t really know, and I definitely did my Ofrenda on the 27th.

It’s a lovely way to celebrate the joy, comfort and companionship that was shared. And as the Toronto Humane Society says, “In remembering them, we honour their spirit and cherish the enduring bond that connects humans and animals across time and space.”

I know we are past the 27th at this point, but all is not lost.

Samhain: When the Veil Between the Living and Dead Is Thin

In Celtic traditions Halloween or Samhain (pronounced Sow-win) is a very special night as it marks the new year in Celtic traditions and is the night where the veil between the living and dead is thin.

Those in spirit can visit and so can departed animals according to tradition just like in the traditions of the 27th.

Honouring Our Pets During Samhain

And the traditions are quite the same. You can set up an altar with photographs, toys, water, treats and candles.

And in this tradition, everyone can gather round and share stories about their pets. What a great tradition to honour these “ancestors of the heart”.

So, either join the Dia De Muertas celebrations and honour our pets gone by on the 27th, or wait until Halloween night and join the traditions of Samhain in a similar manner.

Both are great and maybe do both and see what wandering pets in spirit decide to visit and grace you with their presence. What an honour!

Halloween Books and Ghost Stories About Pets

Another thing that can be added to Halloween fun, are books or stories that include pets in Halloween.

Spook — A Tale of a Little Black Dog

One book for example is called Spook. Spook is a story based on a folktale called, Si Burton’s Little Black Dog. This is a tale that can be read to children during Halloween.

This is about a little black dog that was a witch’s familiar. Briefly, a familiar is a supernatural entity or spiritual guardian that assists practitioners in magic, divination and daily practice.

If you would like more info on animals as familiars access my episode on Cat Lore and legend.

In Spook, the little dog finds a new home with a boy named Jamie. The story blends witchcraft, adventure, and the human experience of love and loss.

“Spook’s journey from being a familiar to a beloved pet to a cherished friend is a poignant reminder of the importance of companionship and the impact of love on our lives.”

What a fun book this would be to read on Halloween, incorporating the Halloween atmosphere with the special relationship pets can give us.

Cat’s First Halloween — A Story for Young Readers

There are some other fun books that include pets that are Halloween themed.

Cat’s first Halloween is a board book, easy reader for young ones just getting into Halloween. This book allows very little ones to explore Halloween as the pet cat does as well.

Ghost Stories of Pets and Animals — Do Our Pets Return After Death?

Another book that sounds perfect to go along with October 27th , a night to feel their paws again, is Ghost Stories of Pets and Animals.

This book explores the enduring loyalty of beloved companions who seemingly return after death, alongside ancient folklore of spectral beasts.”

This book explores firsthand accounts of pets returning after death. It also looks into traditional myths like The Muckle Black Tyke, a famous spectral black dog in Scottish folklore.

The core premise of this book questions whether an animal’s capacity for love and loyalty grants them a spirit that transitions or stays behind just like human apparitions.

OOOO. This sounds like a good one for older readers.

Esme and the Mysterious Treat Ball: A Personal Pet Ghost Story

So, let’s end with a little pet ghost story.

Remembering Eric, Emjay and Smeagol

I have had several cats live long lives and pass away at home.

There was Eric, a big orange tabby stray that became part of the family with his persistence. He developed mouth cancer and died peacefully in his bed.

Emjay, another stray, developed hyperthyroidism. I couldn’t get it under control, and she passed away from a heart attack at home.

Smeagol again a stray, and the most amazing cat, became ill and was diagnosed with Feline Aids. He died in my arms peacefully.

Esme: A Sweet Ginger Cat with a Favourite Toy

This is where the story picks up.

I got a lovely ginger female cat that was sheltering in a barn. She was so dainty and sweet. I’ve mentioned her in past episodes, and her name was Esme.

One toy that she really liked was a treat ball. You would put treats in the ball, and the cat would roll it and treats would drop out. She was very good at doing this.

The Night the Treat Ball Moved on Its Own

One winter night I had a friend over. Because of snow down the front steps, my friend opted to go out of the garage to her car when she was leaving.

I closed the garage door and started getting myself and the house ready for bed, when all of a sudden, the treat ball that was sitting in a corner of the living room, started to roll gently across the floor and past me where I was standing and came to a stop in front of the door to downstairs and the garage.

Believe me, I stood there for a few moments absorbing this, when it struck me, where is Esme?

A Mysterious Warning That Saved Esme

I ran down the stairs and opened the door to the garage and there she was standing at the door, meowing.

She must have snuck into the garage when my friend left, I didn’t see her as my car was in the garage and I just closed the door and went upstairs.

I grabbed her and cuddled her and when I went upstairs there was that treat ball at the top of the stairs.

I looked around and realized that the cats gone by, Eric, Emjay, Smeagol, found a way to let me know Esme was locked in the garage and would have been in dire straits if she had not been discovered.

I thanked the ghost cats!

Have a Wonderful and Safe Halloween

Have a wonderful and safe Halloween everyone. Set up your special place and honour your past pets. They will be there. They probably are all the time.

External Sources

• Toronto Humane Society – Día de Muertos: Honouring Your Pet’s Spirit
  – Learn about October 27, pet remembrance and how to create a meaningful ofrenda.
• ASPCA – Halloween Safety Tips
  – Advice on Halloween candy, pet costumes, open doors, decorations and animal identification.
• American Animal Hospital Association – Halloween Safety for Pets
  – Veterinary guidance for protecting dogs and cats from Halloween hazards.
• Spook by Jane Little
  – The Halloween adventure about a little black dog, a witch and a boy named Jamie.
• Cat’s First Halloween by Natalie Nelson
  – Publisher information about the illustrated Halloween board book for young children.
• Ghost Stories of Pets and Animals by Darren Zenko
  – A collection of animal ghost accounts and stories exploring enduring bonds with beloved pets.

Internal Sources

• Halloween Special – Cats Lore & Legend
  – Explore cats, witches, familiars and their place in centuries of folklore.
• Halloween Special – Reprise (2022)
  – Rediscover the fascinating legends and superstitions surrounding cats at Halloween.
• Halloween Special – Reprise (2023)
  – Another opportunity to enjoy Val’s exploration of mysterious feline folklore.
• How Cats and Dogs Handle Pet Loss
  – Learn how surviving pets may respond to losing another animal companion.
• Pets Are Family – An Interview With Erika Sinner
  – A compassionate discussion about pet bereavement and recognizing the importance of animal companions.
• Cats and Their Mysterious Behaviour
  – Discover more about the fascinating behaviours and personalities of cats.

Tagged as: Day of the Dead pets,  Halloween for dogs and cats,  Samhain pet traditions,  pet ghost stories,  animal spirits and the afterlife,  remembering beloved pets,  Halloween pet safety,  Val Talks Pets Halloween 2026.