The incredibly popular 12-foot Halloween skeletons seem to be a permanent feature now. This is exciting for fans of Halloween, but dogs can’t comprehend why these spooky figures have taken over their neighborhoods. In fact, your dog likely has no idea what Halloween even means.

Pet owners should prepare for their dogs’ reactions to frightening decorations, flashing lights, and neighbors in costumes this month, as veterinarians warn that these spooky sights can trigger a passive ‘fight or flight’ reaction in dogs. Cats may also become anxious looking out their windows, explained Gary Richter, a veterinarian based in Oakland, California.

“The essence of Halloween creates a theatrical portrayal of a threat, right?,” Richter remarked in an interview with YSL News. “However, dogs can’t differentiate between theater and reality.”

Owners know their pets best, Richter pointed out, and laid-back dogs are likely to remain unfazed by strange decorations. Conversely, dogs that tend to be protective may need to be kept on a tight leash or, ideally, stay home in a safe area, like a back room, during Halloween festivities, he advised.

According to Sun Kim, a professor at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine who specializes in canine anxiety, dogs with anxious behaviors are often profoundly affected by changes in their environment.

“Many of my patients struggle more while out for walks during the season of Halloween decorations,” Kim said.

Here’s a closer look at why dogs and cats might find terrifying Halloween decorations unsettling.

Home Depot skeleton resembles a human, according to vet

Since debuting in 2020, Home Depot’s gigantic skeleton decoration has become a staple in many suburbs across the U.S., often dressed up for the season or local events. There’s even a Facebook group dedicated to 12-foot skeleton fans with nearly 300,000 members.

Some homeowners have even stocked up on multiple skeletons, and this year, Home Depot revealed spooky new features such as moving and blinking eyes.

While we enjoy the fun of these skeletons, Richter mentioned that most dogs will not focus on their skeletal form.

“Dogs will perceive it as a large, vaguely human-like shape, which can feel very threatening to them – that enormous 12-foot figure looming in the yard,” said Richter, who also manages Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, California.

Home Depot explained to YSL News that their large skeletons are created for people eager to add character to their fall decorations.

“Our Halloween collection aims to astonish and amuse our customers as they decorate for the autumn season, and we hope pets can have fun with these items just like the Halloween lovers do,” said Home Depot spokesperson Madison Stevens in an email.

Responding with fight or flight

If the decorations become too intense, be it from flashing lights or startling surprises, dogs will respond as if faced with a true threat, Richter said, either by running away or becoming aggressive.

“It is crucial for people to be aware of the happenings in their neighborhoods and avoid placing their dogs in potentially harmful situations, both for their pet’s safety and that of others,” Richter emphasized.

He recalled a situation where a dog he knew attacked a neighbor who dashed out from behind a bush to scare the dog’s family.

“The dog completely panicked because naturally, the dog had no idea what was happening,” Richter said, noting that dogs have an instinct to guard their owners against perceived threats.

“Dogs are social animals, and they tend to defend their pack,” he added.

According to Kim, pets become accustomed to their regular surroundings, and fearful reactions to new objects can be particularly noticeable in dogs that were not socialized well early in their lives.

For instance, Kim mentioned that socialization classes for intense puppy training in the summer often include activities where humans dress in bulky winter clothing, including puffy coats, hats, and gloves, to help puppies adjust.

In colder weather, young dogs who experience anxiety tend not to panic when their owners begin to put on bulky winter clothing.

Cats also experience fear

Owners of cats in Oakland have reported to Richter that their cats often run away for several days after encountering Halloween decorations.

“Cats are not on leashes, which allows them to flee and avoid these decorations,” Kim noted.

Similarly, dogs can escape through the front door on Halloween night during trick-or-treating if they are startled by something unexpected, according to Richter.

“If the door is left slightly ajar and a loud noise occurs, they might dash out, leading to someone spending the next day or two searching the neighborhood for their pet,” Richter said. “I’ve heard this happen multiple times.”

Costumes and masks disrupt communication

In addition to being frightening, Halloween masks and costumes can hinder dogs from connecting with humans through social cues, such as eye contact or smiles. The large costumes that cover bodies can make it difficult for dogs to interpret our movements, according to Richter.

“Much of their communication is based on reading body language and facial expressions, which is not possible with costumes,” explained Richter, who owns the pet food brand Ultimate Pet Nutrition.

As frustrating as it may be, Richter advises that the best approach is to keep your dogs at home.

If you wish to take them for a walk around Halloween, he cautions to keep them on a short leash.

Regarding an Oakland resident who startled him by jumping out from behind a bush, Richter remarked that while the man was unharmed, “had the owner not maintained a firm grip on the leash, the situation could have turned out badly.”