Halloween pet safety: tricks, treats and what our pets have trained us to do

Anyone who has ever found themselves reaching for the treat cupboard after being presented with a hopeful pair of eyes may recognise an uncomfortable truth: sometimes it is difficult to tell exactly who is training whom.

New research among 1,000 UK dog and cat owners suggests our pets have become remarkably good at persuading us to hand over an extra reward. Almost half of pet owners surveyed (48%) admitted that their furry companion has effectively trained them to provide extra treats, while 72% regularly give their pet a treat without asking them to perform a trick first.

The findings, commissioned by pet retailer Jollyes Pets ahead of Halloween, offer a light-hearted look at the relationship between pets, training and treats. However, they also highlight a more serious issue at this time of year: keeping chocolate, sweets and other potentially harmful Halloween foods away from animals.

Are our pets actually training us?

Dogs have developed several successful strategies for getting their humans to give in. According to the research, 48% of dog owners have been persuaded by puppy-dog eyes, while 44% admit that offering a well-timed paw can be enough to earn their dog a reward.

Cats appear to have their own technique. Among cat owners surveyed, 64% said they had been persuaded to provide a treat by their cat meowing.

It doesn't always happen in full view of the family, either. Six in ten pet owners admitted that they sometimes sneak their pet a treat when nobody else is looking.

There were considerable regional differences. Some 82% of owners surveyed in Northern Ireland admitted to secretly handing out treats, compared with 77% in Scotland, 53% in London and 46% in Wales.

While the findings are entertaining, there is a useful reminder here for owners. Treats still contribute towards an animal's overall diet, so repeated extras can quickly add up. Owners should consider treats and training rewards as part of their pet's daily food allowance rather than something entirely separate from it.

What tricks can dogs and cats learn?

Some pets are certainly earning their rewards. Almost half (45%) of animals in the survey could give a paw or shake hands, 29% could high-five and one in five could spin around in a circle.

Cats may be more trainable than some people assume. Although 21% of those surveyed believed cats cannot learn tricks, 59% of cat owners reported that their own feline could perform some form of trick, including sitting up on their hind legs and begging.

Training isn't simply about entertaining tricks, either. Teaching animals appropriate behaviours and useful cues can help owners manage potentially dangerous situations.

For dogs in particular, a reliable "drop it" cue can be useful when they pick up something they shouldn't – something that becomes especially relevant at Halloween.

Why Halloween sweets can be dangerous for dogs

The research found that 30% of dog owners had caught their dog attempting to eat Halloween sweets or chocolate. At the same time, 21% said their dog still doesn't know the "drop it" cue.

Halloween can therefore create a perfect storm of temptation. Bowls of sweets may be sitting within reach, children can leave chocolate around the house and discarded wrappers or dropped confectionery can easily be discovered by curious pets.

Chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cats, while some sugar-free sweets and chewing gums contain xylitol, a sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Raisins and grapes are another potential hazard.

Rather than relying on a dog's training alone, prevention is important. Keep sweets, chocolate and Halloween treats securely stored somewhere pets cannot reach and make sure children understand why they shouldn't share their Halloween haul with the family dog or cat.

If you believe your pet has eaten chocolate, xylitol or another potentially toxic substance, contact your vet promptly for advice rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.

Four ways to keep pets safe and comfortable at Halloween

Halloween isn't only about food. Costumes, decorations, candles, repeated knocks at the door and unfamiliar visitors can turn an otherwise ordinary evening into a confusing or stressful experience for some animals.

Keep human treats out of reach. Chocolate, sweets and other Halloween foods should be stored securely, particularly if you have a dog known for investigating bags, tables and children's bedrooms in search of something interesting.

Give pets something appropriate of their own. A pet-safe treat or chew can provide enrichment while the rest of the family enjoys their Halloween sweets. Chews should be appropriate for the individual animal and supervised, particularly where there is a potential choking risk.

Create somewhere quiet. Repeated knocks, doorbells, costumes and strangers arriving at the house can be unsettling. Giving pets access to a familiar, secure space away from the front door may help. Jollyes suggests options such as its Dog Anxiety Bed and Yakers Himalayan Yak Milk Dog Chew for dogs, while Feliway Calming Spray is one option designed for cats.

Think carefully about costumes and decorations. More than a third (36%) of owners surveyed said they planned to dress their pet up for Halloween. If you do, make sure the animal is comfortable, can move freely and isn't showing signs of distress. Costumes shouldn't restrict breathing, vision or movement. Candles, electrical decorations and small objects that could be chewed or swallowed should also be kept safely away from pets.

If your animal clearly doesn't enjoy wearing a costume, there is no reason they need to participate. A Halloween-themed photograph isn't worth making a pet uncomfortable.

Choosing healthier treats for dogs

With pets becoming increasingly involved in family celebrations, Halloween can also be an opportunity to reconsider the treats we routinely give them.

Natural dog treats have become increasingly popular, with 30% of dog owners in the Jollyes survey saying they regularly buy options such as pigs' ears. The retailer offers a range including rabbit ears, chicken feet, ostrich, beef trachea, venison sausages and other natural chews.

Not every treat will be appropriate for every dog, however. Size, age, chewing behaviour, health, dietary requirements and the animal's normal calorie intake should all be considered. Dogs should also be supervised with chews, and treats shouldn't replace a nutritionally balanced everyday diet.

Trick or treat – for dogs

To coincide with Halloween, Jollyes Pets is inviting dogs to take part in its own version of trick or treating on Saturday 31 October.

Participating stores are setting up "trick or treat" stations where dogs can perform a trick – or arrive wearing a Halloween costume or accessory – in exchange for a natural treat. The activity is taking place across Jollyes stores that allow pets, giving dogs a considerably safer alternative to helping themselves to the children's chocolate.

"Pets might not be knocking on doors this Halloween, but many already know exactly how to persuade us to open the treat cupboard," says Sean McGinty, Chief Marketing Officer at Jollyes Pets.

Whether your dog can high-five, spin on command or has perfected nothing more complicated than looking particularly hopeful beside the treat cupboard, Halloween can be a reminder that training should ultimately be about more than tricks.

Teaching practical cues, rewarding good behaviour and providing appropriate enrichment can all contribute to a happier relationship between pets and their humans. And when the Halloween sweets arrive home, perhaps the most useful trick of all is making sure they stay safely out of reach.

Research commissioned by Jollyes Pets and conducted by 3Gem among 1,000 UK pet owners between 14 and 16 October 2026.