Short answer: during Halloween and Diwali, the biggest risks to dogs are chocolate, sugar-free sweets containing xylitol, raisins, rich festive food, open flames and loud fireworks. Keep sweets and snacks out of reach, supervise around candles and diyas, give your dog a quiet space during celebrations, and call your vet straight away if you think your dog has eaten something toxic.

Halloween falls on Saturday 31 October, and Diwali follows on Sunday 8 November this year. Between costume parties, sweet boxes, oil lamps and fireworks, it is a busy few weeks in many UAE homes. A little planning keeps the season enjoyable for your dog too.

Foods to keep out of reach

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs process slowly. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, but milk chocolate can still cause problems, especially in small dogs. Signs can include vomiting, restlessness, a racing heart and tremors.

Xylitol

This sweetener appears in some sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, mints and baked goods. In dogs it can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver damage. Check labels on anything "sugar-free".

Raisins, grapes and sultanas

These can cause kidney injury in dogs, and the amount that causes harm varies unpredictably. Watch for them in festive sweets, dry fruit boxes and baked goods.

Nuts

Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Other nuts common in festive sweets and dry fruit boxes are high in fat and can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis.

Rich and fried festive food

Mithai made with ghee and sugar, fried snacks and rich party food can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea or pancreatitis. Savoury snacks such as namkeen often contain onion and garlic, which are harmful to dogs.

Wrappers and packaging

Foil, plastic wrappers and sticks from sweets can cause choking or blockages.

For a wider list, see our guide to which human foods dogs can and cannot eat.

Decorations, candles and diyas

• Place diyas, candles and lanterns where tails and noses cannot reach, and never leave flames unattended.
• Keep rangoli powders and colours out of reach, and stop your dog from licking or walking through them.
• Tidy away fairy light cables, which some dogs chew.
• Pumpkins and decorative gourds can go mouldy; throw them away before your dog investigates.
• Glow sticks taste bitter and can cause drooling if chewed. Keep them away from dogs.

Fireworks and noise

Fireworks are part of many celebrations around Diwali, and noise can be frightening for dogs. To help:

• Walk your dog earlier in the day, before fireworks are likely.
• Keep windows and curtains closed, and play background music or TV.
• Set up a quiet, den-like space your dog can retreat to, and let them choose to hide.
• Make sure your dog's ID tag and microchip details are up to date, as frightened dogs can bolt.
• Never take a noise-sensitive dog to a fireworks display.

If your dog is very anxious about noise, talk to your vet well before the celebrations. There are behavioural approaches and, for some dogs, medications that can help.

Keep routines as normal as possible

Festive weeks often mean late nights, guests and changed schedules. Dogs cope best when meals, walks and bedtime stay roughly on their usual timetable. Feed measured meals at the normal times, and resist the urge to make up for a busy day with extra treats. If you are travelling for Diwali and leaving your dog with a sitter or boarding facility, pack enough of their usual food for the whole stay plus a few days, so they do not have to switch diets suddenly.

Visitors, costumes and doorbells

Halloween parties and Diwali visits mean more doorbells, more guests and more food on low tables. Keep your dog in a calm room during busy periods, ask guests not to share food, and check the door is closed before it opens. If you dress your dog up, choose a costume that does not restrict movement, breathing or vision, and take it off if your dog seems uncomfortable.

Safe treats for the season

If you want to include your dog in the celebrations, offer dog-safe treats in small amounts, or simply use pieces of their usual food as rewards. Our article on vegan dog treats in the UAE covers what to look for. Keeping your dog on their normal complete diet, such as V-Planet, with minimal extras, is the best way to avoid festive stomach upsets.

If your dog eats something it should not

1. Remove any remaining food and keep the packaging.
2. Note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
3. Call your vet or an emergency vet immediately. Do not wait for symptoms.
4. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Save your vet's number and the nearest emergency clinic's details on your phone before the festivities begin.

Frequently asked questions

Is a small amount of chocolate dangerous for dogs?

It can be, depending on the type of chocolate and the size of the dog. Dark and baking chocolate are most dangerous. Call your vet if your dog eats any.

Can dogs eat Indian sweets like mithai?

It is best not to. Mithai is high in sugar and fat, and some contain raisins, nuts or chocolate. Rich food can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis.

What is xylitol and why is it dangerous?

Xylitol is a sweetener in some sugar-free sweets, gum and baked goods. In dogs it can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage.

How can I help my dog during fireworks?

Walk earlier in the day, close windows and curtains, play background noise, provide a quiet hiding space and keep ID details up to date. Ask your vet about severe noise anxiety.

What should I do if my dog eats something toxic?

Call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately, with details of what, how much and when. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to.