Keeping cats calm at Halloween takes a little planning, because for most felines, doorbells, costumes and surprise bangs are far more fright than fun!
Cats may be the unofficial mascots of spooky season (especially our black cat pals), but they’re also creatures of routine, so a night of knocks at the door and strangers in masks can be a lot to handle.
The good news is that a few simple steps before, during and after the big night can make a huge difference!
Why Halloween can spook your cat
Knocks, doorbells and strange faces
Your cat sees your home as their territory, so every ring of the doorbell means another stranger on their patch. A front door that keeps swinging open also gives a nervous cat the perfect chance to make a dash for it!
Costumes, masks and spooky decorations
Once your face is hidden behind a mask, your cat may not recognise you at all, and flashing lights or motion-activated spiders can be just as unsettling. Keep candles, sweets and dangly decorations well out of paws’ reach too; our guide to Halloween safety for pets has more on this.
Darker evenings and early fireworks
The clocks go back just before Halloween, so darkness falls earlier and trick-or-treating lands right when many cats would normally head out exploring. Fireworks often start popping around the same time and carry on to Bonfire Night and beyond.
Spotting a scaredy-cat: signs your cat is stressed
Cats are experts at hiding how they feel, so keep an eye out for:
- Hiding under beds or on top of wardrobes
- Crouching low, with ears flattened and tail tucked or flicking
- Wide, dilated pupils
- Puffed-up fur, an arched back or hissing
- More meowing than usual
- Going off their food or toileting outside the litter tray
- Trying to bolt through doors or windows
These are all your cat’s way of saying, “I need a bit of space right now!”
Keeping cats calm before the trick-or-treaters arrive
Bring them in before dark
If your cat likes to roam, serve dinner a little earlier to tempt them home before dusk. Then lock the cat flap, close the windows, pop out an extra litter tray and check their microchip details are up to date, just in case!
Set up a cosy safe space
Pick a quiet room away from the front door, ideally one your cat already loves, and kit it out with their bed, food, water, litter tray, a cardboard box to hide in and somewhere high to perch. An unwashed jumper that smells like you adds extra comfort.
Some cats feel happier with the run of the house and their own favourite hideouts, so follow your cat’s lead. If you do close the door, pop in regularly to check on them.
Introduce your costume early
A few days before Halloween, leave your costume or mask on the floor for a good sniff, then put it on while your cat watches. As for dressing up your cat, costumes are best left to the humans!
Tips for keeping cats calm on Halloween night
Keeping cats calm when the doorbell rings
Cutting down on knocks and rings is one of the easiest wins. Sit on the doorstep with the sweets, or leave a bowl outside with a friendly note for trick-or-treaters. If you have a video doorbell, switch the chime to silent for the evening.
Muffle the noise outside
Close the curtains and windows early, then put on soft music, the radio or the TV at a normal volume to help cover the noise outside. Stick to sounds your cat is already used to.
Stick to the usual routine
Keep mealtimes and playtime as normal as you can. Cats pick up on our moods, so stay relaxed, never scold a frightened cat, and let them come to you for cuddles on their own terms. If you’re hosting a party, ask guests to let your cat approach them first.
Helping your cat settle after Halloween
Keeping cats calm through fireworks season
Fireworks tend to carry on well past Halloween, so check the dates of local displays and keep your cat indoors on those evenings. Leaving their safe space set up for a couple of weeks gives them somewhere familiar to retreat to. Our guide on how to keep pets calm during fireworks has lots more tips!
When to call your vet
Most cats bounce back within a day or so, but call your vet if yours is still hiding or off their food once the fuss has died down. Stress can also trigger bladder problems in cats, so get in touch promptly if you notice straining in the litter tray or blood in the urine.
Keeping cats calm this Halloween with VETIQ Serene Calming
With a cosy safe space and a quiet evening, you’re already well on your way to a calmer spooky season. For an extra helping paw, here’s why our pet parents love VETIQ Serene Calming:
VETIQ Serene Calming Portable Diffuser:
- Naturally calms and soothes, releasing a pheromone that helps cats relax without a sedative effect
- Scientifically proven to help reduce marking, scratching and meowing!
- 100% portable, with no plugs, batteries or electricity needed, so it fits anywhere in your cat’s safe space
- Covers 65m² and lasts 30 days, so setting it up the week before Halloween sees your cat through to Bonfire Night
- Simple to use, with a reusable holder that’s ready for a fresh refill
- Suitable for cats of all ages, breeds and sizes
Healthy Bites Serene Calming for Cats:
- Tasty calming treats for cats, made with chamomile, lemon balm and ginger oil
- Contains magnesium to help fight stressful situations
- Only 2kcal per treat, with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
- Suitable for sterilised cats and weight management
Healthy Bites make a paw-fect reward for settling into the safe space, or a tasty distraction while your cat gets to know your costume!
For daily support through fireworks season, Serene Calming Tablets and Serene Calming Drops are both suitable for cats, non-sedating and safe for long-term use. Start the tablets a day or so ahead for the best results.
Here’s to a calm, cosy and purr-fectly peaceful Halloween for you and your feline friend!
Keeping cats calm at Halloween FAQs
Q: Should I keep my cat indoors on Halloween?
A: Yes, we recommend bringing your cat in before dark and keeping them indoors until the trick-or-treating and fireworks have finished. Serving dinner a little earlier than usual is an easy way to tempt roaming cats home!
Q: How can I tell if my cat is stressed at Halloween?
A: Look out for hiding, crouching low with flattened ears, wide pupils, puffed-up fur or more meowing than usual. Going off their food or toileting outside the litter tray can also be signs your cat is feeling anxious.
Q: How do I stop the doorbell upsetting my cat?
A: We suggest sitting on the doorstep with the sweets, or leaving a bowl outside with a friendly note for trick-or-treaters. If you have a video doorbell, switching the chime to silent for the evening helps too.
Q: What should I put in my cat’s safe space?
A: Their bed, food, water and litter tray, plus a cardboard box to hide in and somewhere high to perch. An item of clothing that smells like you adds a lovely extra bit of comfort!
Q: Is it OK to dress my cat up for Halloween?
A: We’d recommend leaving the costumes to the humans! Most cats find being dressed up stressful, and they’d much rather spend the evening curled up somewhere cosy.
Q: When should I set up a calming diffuser before Halloween?
A: We suggest placing the VETIQ Serene Calming Portable Diffuser in your cat’s safe space the week before Halloween. Each refill lasts 30 days, so it will see your cat right through to Bonfire Night.
Q: Can calming treats help my cat at Halloween?
A: Healthy Bites Serene Calming for Cats contain chamomile, lemon balm, ginger oil and magnesium to support relaxation, at only 2kcal per treat. We find they make a paw-fect reward for settling into the safe space!
Q: How long does it take cats to settle after Halloween?
A: Most cats bounce back within a day or so, especially once their usual routine is back in place. We’d recommend calling your vet if your cat is still hiding or off their food after that, or if you notice straining in the litter tray.
