Halloween is a time for costumes, decorations, and indulging in our favorite seasonal treats. We humans get to enjoy all the festive flavors of fall, like candy corn and caramel apples. But what about our four-legged family members? They deserve to join the celebration, too!
October is also Pet Wellness Month, making it the ideal time to reflect on how we can celebrate with our pets while prioritizing their health. With a little creativity and the right ingredients, your pets can experience the magic of Halloween without any of the risks that come with traditional trick-or-treat candy. Let's explore how to choose the right Halloween treats for dogs and for cats so they can celebrate safely and deliciously.
How to Make Sure Your Pet Enjoys a Safe Halloween
Halloween offers the perfect opportunity to include our pets in the holiday fun, but it also comes with unique hazards. Between the candy bowls on every counter and the trick-or-treat doorbell ringing, our pets face temptations and stressors that can quickly turn the festive season into a frantic one.
The solution to enjoying Halloween for pets is planning ahead with pet-safe snack alternatives that are both festive and nutritious. Instead of worrying about what your pet might snatch from an unattended trick-or-treat bag, you can proactively offer them snacks that fuel their health while satisfying their taste buds.
This or That: Halloween Edition
Just because your pet can't share your candy bowl doesn't mean they have to miss out on the seasonal fun. Here are some safe alternative treats for your pets instead of candy so you can enjoy your Halloween favorites while treating your pet to something just as special:
You indulge in: Candy corn
Your dog can enjoy: Nulo Jerky Strips Salmon With Strawberries Recipe for dogs, packed with real protein, no artificial colors, and real fruit (AKA nature’s candy).
Your cat can enjoy: For cats, try one of our most popular lickable treat recipes, deemed to be as tasty as candy, MedalSeries Perfect Puree Tuna & Scallop Recipe.
You indulge in: Candied apples
Your dog can enjoy: Nulo Freeze-Dried Raw Beef & Apples—real fruit meets high-quality protein for a fall-inspired snack that's as nutritious as it is delicious.
Your cat can enjoy: For cats, try fresh apple slices (core and seeds removed) paired with any flavor Nulo Perfect Puree as a protein-rich topper.
You indulge in: Pumpkin spice everything
Your dog can enjoy: Nulo Digestion Gut Health Functional Granola Bars For Dogs packed with the seasonal pumpkin flavor your pup craves (that also supports proper digestion), probiotics, and the animal-based protein they need.
For DIY fun, mix plain canned pumpkin with crumbled Nulo Functional Jerky Gut Health Lamb & Turkey dog treats (with pumpkin as a digestion-supporting ingredient), and freeze in a silicone mold for a cooling, festive snack.
You indulge in: Peanut butter cups
Your cat can enjoy: A lick mat spread with FreeStyle Silky Mousse Chicken & Duck, then frozen for a long-lasting treat that keeps them occupied during trick-or-treaters. (Keep scrolling for full lick mat recipes!)
Why Typical Halloween Treats Aren't Always Safe for Pets
That overflowing jack-o'-lantern bucket might look harmless, but many of the treats inside pose serious risks to our pets. From common ingredients that are toxic to dogs and cats, to wrappers that can cause blockages, Halloween candy is one hazard worth taking seriously. Understanding what makes these festive sweets dangerous is the first step in keeping your pet safe during the spookiest season of the year.
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous, even in small amounts. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures.
- Xylitol: This artificial sweetener is found in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butter, and baked goods, and it's toxic to pets. Even a small amount can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, leading to weakness, seizures, or liver failure.
- Raisins and grapes: Often found in trail mix or fruit snacks, these can cause kidney failure in dogs. The exact toxic substance is still unknown, which makes any amount potentially dangerous.
- Sugar: High sugar content can lead to gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, or contribute to long-term issues like obesity and diabetes. Even candies without toxic ingredients can cause issues with your pet's digestive system.
- Candy wrappers: Beyond the candy itself, wrappers pose a choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockages if ingested.
As pet parents, we're the ones making decisions on behalf of our dogs and cats, and that means being their advocates in every situation, especially when tempting treats are everywhere. The connection between what goes in their bowl (or in this case, what doesn't) and how they feel every day is undeniable.
Choosing Your Treats Wisely
Halloween often brings a wave of seasonal pet treats to store shelves, but not all of them are created equal. Just like you'd read the nutrition label on your own food, take a moment to check what's going into your pet's bowl.
What to look for when shopping for seasonal treats:
- High animal-based protein as the first ingredient: The first ingredient should be a named meat source (chicken, turkey, salmon, etc.), not a grain, filler, or by-product. Protein fuels your pet's muscles, energy, and overall vitality.
- Limited, recognizable ingredients: Fewer ingredients mean fewer chances for fillers, by-products, or artificial additives. If you can't pronounce it or don't recognize it, your pet probably doesn't need it.
- Functional ingredients that do more: Look for treats that include probiotics for gut health, omega fatty acids for skin and coat, or fiber-rich additions like pumpkin that support digestion.
- No artificial colors or preservatives: Seasonal treats might come in festive orange or black, but your pet doesn't need Red 40, Yellow 5, or BHA to enjoy a tasty snack. Natural ingredients deliver flavor without the unnecessary additives.
- Avoid empty calories: Many seasonal treats are high in carbs and low in nutrition. Choose options that provide real fuel so every treat contributes to your pet's health.
Halloween Dog Treats: Nulo's Seasonal Favorites:
🎃 Nulo Digestion Gut Health Functional Granola Bars
🎃 Nulo Functional Jerky Gut Health Lamb & Turkey
🍎 Nulo Jerky Strips Chicken With Apples
🍎 Nulo Mobility Hip & Joint Health Functional Granola Bars
Halloween Cat Treats: Nulo's Seasonal Favorites:
👻 FreeStyle Perfect Puree Chicken Recipe
🍬 FreeStyle Perfect Puree Chicken & Salmon Recipe
👻 MedalSeries Perfect Puree Beef & Sardine Recipe
🍬 MedalSeries Perfect Puree Tuna & Scallop Recipe
Our treats featuring pumpkin and apple aren't just capitalizing on seasonal trends – we chose those ingredients intentionally to support your pet's health year-round. Pumpkin is rich in fiber and aids digestion, while apples provide vitamins and antioxidants. Combined with our signature high animal-based protein, these treats deliver the nutrition your pet needs to power through every adventure, whether that's a Halloween party or a weekend hike.
How to Serve Treats in Moderation (and Why It Prevents Upset Stomachs)
Remember, treats should be given in moderation and should make up no more than 10% of your pet's daily caloric intake. That means if your dog or cat is eating a balanced, nutritious meal twice a day, treats are the bonus, not the main event.
Treat portion control matters because:
- It helps prevent digestive upset. Overindulging in any new food can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or discomfort, especially during a holiday when routines are already disrupted.
- It supports weight management. Extra calories add up quickly, and even healthy treats contribute to your pet's overall intake.
- It maintains nutritional balance. Treats aren't formulated to provide complete nutrition, so they shouldn't replace meals.
Here are some portion control tips to help you offer treats in moderation:
- Break larger treats into smaller pieces. Your pet won't know the difference, and you'll make your treats last longer.
- Use treats as rewards during training sessions rather than free-feeding throughout the day.
- Adjust meal portions slightly if you're offering more treats than usual during the holiday.
- Monitor your pet's energy levels and digestion. If something seems off, scale back.
- If using for lick mats or enrichment toys, consider them a special activity rather than a daily occurrence.
Remember, you're the coach in your pet's corner. You set the training plan, you choose the fuel, and you make the calls that set them up for success. Portion control makes sure that your pet’s joy doesn't come at the expense of their health.
Celebrate Spooky Season with Superior Nutrition for Your Pet
Halloween is a time for fun, festivities, and creating memories with the ones we love, including our pets. Following these safe Halloween tips and choosing treats that prioritize nutrition over empty calories, you're fueling their energy, supporting their health, and ensuring they're ready for their next adventure.
So this Halloween, whether you're tossing your pup a Nulo dog treat or spreading a lick mat with Nulo Perfect Purees, you're making a choice that matters. You're advocating for their health, fueling their potential, and including them in the Halloween fun.
Halloween Lick Mat Recipes
If you're looking for how to keep your pet calm during trick-or-treat chaos, these lick mat recipes are perfect for calming anxious pets, and they're packed with Nulo's nutritious treat options your pet will love.
Spooky Season Swirl Lick Mat (For Dogs)
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup plain canned pumpkin
- 2 tablespoons xylitol-free peanut butter
- 1 Nulo Jerky Strip (Chicken with Apples) torn into small chunks
Instructions:
- Spread pumpkin across half of a silicone lick mat and peanut butter across the other half.
- Press jerky strip pieces into the mixture.
- Freeze for 1-2 hours or serve immediately.
Creamy Cauldron Lick Mat (For Cats)
Ingredients:
- One packet Nulo MedalSeries Perfect Puree lickable treat (choose your flavor!)
- 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
- Splash of Nulo FreeStyle Homestyle Chicken Bone Broth for even more hydration
Instructions:
- Mix Nulo Perfect Puree with yogurt and a splash of bone broth.
- Spread mixture across a cat-sized lick mat, filling all grooves.
- Freeze for 1-2 hours and serve.
