Last year was Raf’s first Halloween. Raf was just a few months old, so there was no candy and no trick-or-treating: just a soft bunny costume, a walk to the park and way too many photos.
At home we also have a long-haired calico cat. She’s an old lady now, and she didn’t join the celebration: she stayed home in her quiet corner while we went out. The doorbell doesn’t bother her anymore, but when lots of people come over, she gets really stressed. So for us, Halloween means thinking about two little ones: the baby and the cat.
Here’s what worked for us, plus the safety tips I’d share with any new parent who has pets.
Choosing a Costume for a Baby
Raf was a bunny. Honestly, the costume was basically a soft zip-up onesie with bunny ears on the hood, and that’s exactly why it worked. Raf was comfortable, I could change diapers in seconds, and we had a happy baby the whole time we were out.
What I’d look for in a first costume:
- Soft, one-piece and easy to open. A zipper or snaps make diaper changes painless. Hooded onesies with animal ears (bunny, bear, lion) are the easiest costume there is, and your baby can wear them again as regular clothes. See baby bunny costumes on Amazon · See more animal hooded onesies
- Nothing on the face. No masks, no face paint (baby skin is very sensitive) and no hats with strings or straps around the neck.
- No small parts that can come off. Buttons, pom-poms, sequins and glued-on details can become a choking hazard once they reach your baby’s mouth, and everything reaches your baby’s mouth.
- Dress for your weather. Where we live, Halloween falls in spring, so a light cotton onesie was perfect. If it’s cold where you are, add warm layers underneath instead of choosing a thick, puffy costume.
- Watch for overheating. Hoods and fleece costumes get warm fast. Touch the back of your baby’s neck: if it’s sweaty, take a layer off.
- Look for “flame resistant” on the label, especially if there will be candles or jack-o’-lanterns around.
Car seat safety: just like puffy coats, thick or padded costumes shouldn’t go under the car seat harness, because they can leave the straps too loose in a crash. Choose a thin costume, or put it on when you arrive.
Sleep safety: costumes are for awake time. For naps and at night, change your baby back into regular pajamas and lay them on their back, with nothing loose in the crib or bassinet.
If you’re wearing your baby in a carrier, keep the costume simple. Your baby’s face should always be visible and their airway clear, so skip anything that covers their head or chin. Here’s a quick guide to the T.I.C.K.S. rule for safe babywearing.
Keeping Your Pet Calm on Halloween
For pets, Halloween can be a lot: the doorbell ringing over and over, strangers in costumes, new smells and a door that keeps opening. Our cat handles the doorbell just fine, but a full house really stresses her out. These are the things that help:
- Give your pet a quiet room. Before guests arrive (or before trick-or-treating starts), set up a room with their bed, water, toys and, for cats, the litter box. Close the door and let them rest away from the noise.
- Keep their routine. Feed your pet and, if you have a dog, take them for a walk before the busy hours.
- Ask for help from the door. If the doorbell drives your dog crazy, sit outside to hand out candy, or leave a bowl by the door with a little sign. A note like “Baby sleeping, please knock softly” also works wonders.
- Watch the open door. With so many people coming and going, it’s easy for a scared pet to run out. Make sure your pet has an ID tag and that their microchip information is up to date. A baby gate that works for dogs can keep them away from the front door, too.
- Keep your dog busy. A stuffed, frozen KONG can keep a dog calm and entertained for a long time while the doorbell rings. Here’s how to stuff a KONG (the freezer trick).
- A calming diffuser for cats. This one I use myself. In very stressful moments, I plug in two FELIWAY Classic diffusers, one in each of the main rooms my cat uses. I did it when I came home from the hospital with Raf, so she could handle all the changes better, and it’s what I’d do before a busy night like Halloween. Plug them in a few days before. If your pet gets very anxious, talk to your vet.
Should your pet wear a costume too?
Our cat didn’t, and I think she’d still be mad at us if she had. Older cats, and lots of younger ones, simply don’t like being dressed up. If your pet really doesn’t mind, keep it simple, like a Halloween bandana. Tie it loosely: you should be able to fit at least two fingers between the bandana and your pet’s neck. Never cover their eyes, ears or mouth, avoid tight elastic, and take it off if they look uncomfortable. Matching baby-and-pet photos are cute, but only if everyone is happy.
Candy and Decorations: The Baby + Pet Checklist
Halloween at home with a baby and a pet means looking at everything from two heights: the floor and the high chair.
- Candy up high. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, and xylitol (a sweetener in sugar-free gum and candy) is very dangerous for dogs. Raisins are toxic to dogs, too. Wrappers can also cause choking or blockages. Keep candy bowls out of reach and throw wrappers away right away.
- No candy for babies either. Hard candy, gum, nuts and popcorn are choking hazards for babies and toddlers. And there’s another good reason to wait: health experts like the American Heart Association recommend no added sugar at all before age 2, and the newest US Dietary Guidelines suggest keeping young children away from added sugar even longer. With Raf, we’re waiting until age 2 or 3. Keeping sugar off the menu early protects those brand-new teeth, helps your baby get used to the natural taste of real food, and builds healthy habits that lower the risk of excess weight and, later in life, serious problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The candy can wait a few years. Your pediatrician can tell you more.
- LED candles instead of real ones. Curious babies and swishing tails don’t mix with open flames. Battery tea lights look just as nice inside a jack-o’-lantern.
- Glow sticks out of reach. Cats love to chew them. The liquid inside tastes terrible and can make them drool a lot, and broken pieces are not baby-safe.
- Skip the fake spider webs at floor level. Pets and babies can get tangled in them or put pieces in their mouths.
- Be seen on evening walks. If you go out with the stroller after dark, a clip-on LED safety light on the handle helps cars see you.
Make It About the Memories
A first Halloween doesn’t need to be a big party. Ours was a calm afternoon walk, a bunny costume and a lot of photos, and it’s one of my favorite memories from that year. Daylight photos also come out so much better than night ones, and a rested baby smiles more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a good first Halloween costume for a baby?
A soft, one-piece costume with an animal hood, like a bunny or a bear. It’s comfortable, easy for diaper changes and has no masks or small parts.
Can my baby sleep in their costume?
It’s best not to. For naps and at night, change your baby into regular pajamas and lay them on their back, with nothing loose around them.
When can my baby have candy?
US health experts recommend no added sugar at all before age 2, and the newest guidelines suggest waiting even longer. We’re waiting until 2 or 3. Avoiding sugar early protects your baby’s teeth and builds healthy habits that lower the risk of problems like type 2 diabetes later in life. Check with your pediatrician.
How can I keep my cat calm on Halloween?
Give your cat a quiet room with everything they need, keep their routine, and keep visitors out of that room. In stressful times, I also plug in a pheromone diffuser in the rooms my cat uses most. If your cat gets very anxious, ask your vet.
Is chocolate dangerous for cats too?
Yes. Chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs. Cats are less likely to eat it, but keep all candy out of reach.
The Bottom Line
Keep it simple: a soft costume for the baby, a quiet room for the pet, and candy and candles out of reach. That’s all you need for a happy, not-so-scary first Halloween, for the whole family.
Happy Halloween from our little bunny, our old cat and me! 🐰🎃
Written by Raf’s Mom
Baby and mom gear from real experience. Dog guides built from vet advice and owner reviews.
