FIVE MOMENTS HALLOWEEN GETS TOO SCARY FOR YOUR PETS
Pet behaviourist, Hannah Molloy shares her Halloween ”Stress Checklist” to help owners identify when spooky season is becoming too much for their dogs.
X September 2026: Every October, UK Google searches for 'Halloween dog costumes' spike sharply1, as pet owners look for new ways to include their four-legged friends in the spooky season fun.
But according to Hannah Molloy, animal behaviourist for Agria Pet Insurance, costumes are just one of several well-meaning Halloween traditions that can look and feel very different from a dog's point of view. From a doorbell that won't stop ringing to a familiar face suddenly hidden behind a mask, much of what makes Halloween fun for us can be genuinely confusing and even frightening for our pets.
Here, Hannah breaks down five typical Halloween moments that could be tipping your dog over the limit from seasonal fun to unfair fear, plus her 10-point stress checklist to help owners spot the early warning signs.
- Wearing a mask or costume
Dogs recognise us by our habits and scent. Key indicators of identity like our outline, body language, and the sounds we make when we move can be disguised when we don a spooky mask or harness the power of makeup on Halloween.
For a dog, the effect of a costume can sometimes be too convincing; it changes both your silhouette and smell, masking it with new fabrics, makeup, and hairspray. Add a mask that obscures your features into the mix, and your dog may genuinely not recognise you.
Hannah’s top tip: “Put on your mask or costume while your dog is in the room, giving them a chance to see (and smell) your transformation first-hand. Try to act like your normal self while in costume – hearing your voice and seeing your body language can be reassuring for your pet.
”Using treats to praise your dog for interest in your new look, and asking them to do known training cues you've practised together can help them to acclimatise more quickly to the new you.”
- The doorbell won't stop ringing
The doorbell rarely rings more frequently than it does on Halloween. Even if your dog is not usually reactive to this trigger, hearing repeated, high-frequency sounds like bells, knocking, or shouts of "trick or treat!" can be read as a sustained "intruder" alert, even to the best-socialised pets. Even dogs who are normally fine with visitors can struggle on Halloween.
Hannah’s top tip: “Try leaving a bowl of sweets on the doorstep with a note reading “Happy Halloween! Please don’t ring the doorbell – take a sweet from the bowl instead.” This lets you take part in the tradition without distressing your dog.
“You can also use dog treats to train your dog that good things happen every time the door goes. When they bark at the doorbell, say “YES!” and throw some dog treats on the floor for them to find, then close the door to go and answer yours safely. This might be the training opportunity you've been waiting for."
- Crowds of strangers
Halloween can bring lots of visitors to your dog’s home – some just stopping by to say ‘trick or treat!’, and others coming inside to join the celebrations. For a dog, an unfamiliar human in an unfamiliar costume can be unsettling. This is especially important to consider if there are children around, as a well-intentioned pat or ear-scratch from a wicked witch or spooky zombie could trigger an unpredictable response from your dog.
Hannah’s top tip: “Invest in a baby gate or simply shut internal doors to keep pets in a separate part of the house from visiting goblins and ghouls is sometimes best for everyone’s safety. Be especially careful to stop children, known or unknown, from invading your dog's safe space”
- Pet photoshoots
Social media is full of photos of dressed-up pets looking worried or uncomfortable while their owners post about how cute they look. At Halloween the temptation is particularly strong.
Costumes can block sight, sound, and movement. They may even cause pets to overheat or itch – all of which can result in dogs acting unpredictably oraggressively. When a pet costume restricts your sight of your pet, you can’t read their body language accurately, so it’s hard to spot when they’ve had enough.
Hannah’s top tip: ”Never dress your dog up in a costume. If you’re keen to include them in the fun, opt for small and manageable accessories like bandanas or pet bow ties that attach to collars. If they seem uncomfortable or irriated, remove it immediately.”
- Loud environments
Whether it’s the raucous laughter of kids at a Halloween party, the screams and moans of things that go bump in the night, or a celebratory fireworks display, there’s no denying that the volume is turned up at Halloween. For dogs – whose ears are much more sensitive than ours – this can be really frightening.
Hannah’s top tip: “To keep your dog calm and collected, consider restricting them to a safe, familiar space that’s separate from any visitors or chaos. You may want to consider giving them access to an open crate draped in blankets, which can help to muffle loud sounds and provide a sense of security. Most importantly, opt for a firework-free Halloween where possible.”
Hannah adds: “For kids and adults, Halloween is a fun change from routine, filled with novelties and surprises. But those same unexpected moments can be upsetting for dogs, who don’t fully understand what’s happening.
“It’s vital to have a keen grasp on your dog’s usual behaviours and be poised to spot any changes that could indicate stress or anxiety before they escalate to reactivity, aggression or extreme distress.
“Use Agria’s ‘stress checklist’ to identify the 10 early signs that your pet is feeling more fear than fun this spooky season.”
Agria’s Halloween Stress Checklist: 10 Signs Your Pet is Feeling More Fear Than Fun
- Excessive lip-licking or tongue flicking – when there is no food around, this can be an early sign of stress.
- Yawning out of context – yawns when not appearing tired can be a sign of anxiety.
- Avoiding interaction – dogs who are usually sociable and affectionate may avoid letting you touch them when stressed, seeming withdrawn.
- Showing the whites of their eyes – also known as whale eye, this behaviour is sometimes accompanied by eye narrowing or pupils dilating.
- Refusing to move – stopping in one place indicates your dog’s freeze response is activated in response to a perceived threat. Alternatively, they may pace or refuse to settle.
- Tucked tail – having their tail between their legs indicates that a dog is feeling a lot of stress. They may also tremble or crouch.
- Panting when not hot – a tight or tense mouth and excessive panting can often be accompanied by drooling despite not exercising recently.
- Whining, howling, or excessive barking – all signs that your dog is trying to communicate that they feel threatened.
- Refusing food – changes in appetite can indicate that a dog no longer feels safe.
- Hiding or running away – sneaking away to a quiet corner is a sure sign your dog is uncomfortable in their current environment. They may also cower away from people or sounds. In extreme cases of fear, some dogs will try to escape.
ENDS
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About Agria Pet Insurance
Agria is one of the world’s leading animal insurers, specialising in small animal and equine insurance. Founded in Sweden over 130 years ago, Agria began underwriting policies in the UK in 2009 and is now a prominent part of the UK pet insurance sector.
In the UK, Agria works with over 50,000 vets, breeders and rehoming organisations, providing insurance for cats, dogs, and rabbits. Agria also administers pet insurance schemes for the leading small animal registration bodies, The Royal Kennel Club, and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
Agria has been awarded aWhich? Best Buy for Dog Insurance and aWhich? Best Buy for Cat Insurancefor their Lifetime Premium insurance products, and is named Best Overall Pet Insurance provider by The Telegraph 2024.
For more information, see www.agriapet.co.uk / https://www.instagram.com/agriapetinsurance / https://www.facebook.com/agriapetuk