Trick or Treat? Pet-Safe Halloween Treats
The best part of Halloween is (arguably) the candy. Who doesn’t love sweets? While your pets no doubt agree with that, it’s no secret that most human candy is more trick than treat for animals. Keep reading to find out which treats are a hard no for your pet and to get ideas for pet-safe Halloween treats that you can make just for your furry friend!
Tricks: What Not to Give Your Pet on Halloween
Humans have evolved the super cool ability to withstand eating lots of things that aren’t very good for us, like dairy and caffeine. Our beloved animal companions, however, don’t have the same luxury. Because each animal has different digestive capabilities, it’s important to know which ingredients could be disastrous if your pet ingests them. Below is a list of common Halloween candy and treats that are potentially harmful to any animal.
- Chocolate
- Raisins
- Pretzels
- Hard candy
- Mints
Most of these options are off the table due to their high sugar content. Chocolate is especially bad because of its caffeine content. Pretzels are unique in that its sodium levels are what make it harmful. The pretzel itself may be safe for certain animals, but the salt makes them dangerous. Whatever the reason, make sure to keep your pets for away from the foods listed above to keep them safe and healthy!
Treats: 3 Scarily Simple Ideas for Pet-Safe Halloween Treats
Now that we know what our pets can’t have, let’s talk about what they can have. With a little creativity and a careful selection of ingredients, the possibilities are endless for Halloween-themed snacks for pets. Check out the 3 ideas listed below, ranging from cute to creepy!
Jack o’ Pepper
A pumpkin is a little tough for most animals to enjoy, but an orange bell pepper is a perfect substitute for an edible jack o’ lantern! The steps are the same as what you’d do with a pumpkin: cut an opening in the top, scoop out all the insides (making sure to scrape out every single seed), then carve a face into the front. The whole pepper is perfect for pictures, but it’ll need to be cut up before you give it to your animal. This spooky treat is safe for all sorts of pets: dogs, cats, small mammals, birds. Just make sure to introduce this veggie slowly if your pet has never eaten it before, and only feed your pet bell peppers in small quantities to avoid an upset tummy.
Graveyard Grains
Another entry on this list that’s super easy to make, the only required ingredient for Graveyard Grains is cooked rice. On a piece of wax paper, use toothpicks to shape the rice. Once dried, the rice should be able to be moved relatively easily, and you can flip the wax paper over to transfer the treat between surfaces. If you want to sweeten the deal, you can also use fruits to color the designs! Just make sure the fruit you’re using is safe for your specific pet. The plain rice version is safe for dogs and birds.
Sweet & Slimy Intestines
If you’re a fan of the horror and gore of Halloween, this treat is right up your alley. The simple recipe is to slice a chicken breast into slivers and then cook the chicken without using any oils, spices, or seasonings. Raw foods can be dangerous, so cook the chicken all the way through before serving it to your dog. To make the now white slivers look like intestines, cover them in strawberry juice. It’s important to make sure the juice has no added sugars, so it’s best to make it yourself at home by putting plain strawberries in a juicer. Once it’s done, you can serve your dog a yummy treat of fake bloody organs!
Each animal’s diet is so unique that it can be hard to know what is or isn’t safe for them to eat. If you ever any doubt about if a food is safe for your pet, ask you veterinarian and introduce new foods slowly. The treat ideas above are simple, but that means that they’re more likely to be edible for your pet. We hope the pet-safe Halloween treats listed above inspire you to include your pet in the sweet side of the spooky season! If you want to try cooking for your pet more often, check out our article on making homemade food for your pets. Let us know what treats you’re planning on making for your pet, and have a happy Halloween!
The best part of Halloween is (arguably) the candy. Who doesn’t love sweets? While your pets no doubt agree with that, it’s no secret that most human candy is more trick than treat for animals. Keep reading to find out which treats are a hard no for your pet and to get ideas for pet-safe…