How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy on Halloween
For the average kitty, Halloween can be a sensory overload. There are bright lights, new sounds and people coming to the house yelling, “Trick or treat!” or ringing the doorbell. In the face of these things, even the most confident cat can feel uneasy.
We all know the safest move for any cat owner is to keep their cats inside on Halloween (or better yet, every other day of the year). Young kids and troublemakers can be a threat to kitties on Halloween, so make sure yours stay inside.
That doesn’t mean they have to miss out on the fun, though! You can make sure your cat has a Happy Halloween of their own while keeping them safe and satisfied.
Create a Calm, Safe Space
The constant stream of trick-or-treaters on Halloween night can turn even the most peaceful place into a cacophony of sound and commotion. Before the first kids reach your door, set up a quiet retreat for your kitty somewhere in the home, away from the front door.
Make sure you include familiar items like their bed, favourite toys, and fresh water. If they are a very anxious cat, you might set them up in a bedroom with the door closed. If so, put their litter box in there as well to avoid accidents.
Soft music or white noise might be a welcome distraction for them. You can also go so far as to close the curtains and keep the lighting warm and cozy.
Keep Them Away from the Door During Trick-or-Treat Time
Even the most well-behaved cats can get curious when the door opens again and again. To prevent escapes (or unwanted scares), make sure they have access to their safe room early in the evening. Once they are settled, you can close the door and check on them periodically.
If they prefer to roam, you can set up a baby gate or playpen near the front entrance as an additional barrier to slow them down.
When family members or guests enter the house, try to get them to use a different door to minimize foot traffic through the front door. Some cats will obsess over trying to get past the people and out the door, so stay vigilant throughout the night.
If your cat is high-energy, a pheromone diffuser or something like a video of wild birds or squirrels may be enough to relax and distract them for a period.
Keep Treats (and Trick-or-Treaters) at a Distance
Halloween candy and decorations can pose hidden dangers to cats. Chocolate, xylitol, and candy wrappers are toxic if ingested, and curious cats might also be tempted by shiny ribbons or flickering candles. That said, cats are not like dogs, and most of the time, they are not interested in the taste of anything sugary. Some cats like to rub their faces or bite down on plastic; however, this might be the more common risk.
Make sure you store all candy well out of reach and remind guests and children not to share any human treats with your cat.
Distract Them with Entertainment
Some cats may want to hang out and linger by the door, knowing it has been opening so much on this night. If this describes your kitty, distraction is going to be your best friend.
There are a bunch of great ways to keep your cat’s mind busy and focused on something other than the front door, including:
Give them a new toy or puzzle feeder right before trick-or-treating starts.
Schedule interactive playtime earlier in the evening to try to tire them out. A tired cat is far less likely to want to go exploring.
Turn on a nature video or bird-watching stream in their safe room to hold their attention.
An automatic laser toy pointed at the wall can create a long-lasting distraction (just make sure it’s not set up at eye height.
A treat ball/puzzle can keep your cat busy for hours.
Cat-Friendly Halloween Treats
Just because cats don’t like eating sugar doesn’t mean they can’t partake in some Halloween fun! Treat them to some of the stuff they love the most, such as:
Tuna
Water from the tuna can
Frozen food cubes (tuna, pumpkin or wet food)
Pumpkin puree (no additives)
Small piece of cheese
Cat treats
You might even want to fill a treat puzzle or ball to keep them engaged while you hand out candy.
Final Thoughts
Halloween doesn’t have to be stressful for you or your cat. If you take the initiative and tackle some of these suggestions, everybody in your home wins. Have fun and stay safe!