There are few things we love more than seeing pets in hilarious costumes, especially at Halloween! However, there are dangers that come with costumes for pets, and concerns for their wellbeing too. Here are 6 tips for dressing up your pet at Halloween to help alleviate any concerns, ready for those spooky pawties!
6 Tips for Dressing Up Your Pet at Halloween
1. Get Them Used to their Costume
If you’re thinking of dressing up your pet at Halloween, forward planning is always your best friend. Get their costume early so they’ve got plenty of time to get used to it. Allow them to get comfortable being around the costume and then wearing it for short periods of time. Perhaps offer a treat to make it a positive experience.
2. Be Careful with Thick and Heavy Costumes
Costumes that are heavy or made of thick material might be very warm for them to wear, which could particularly be an issue if the costume is being worn indoors. Make sure they’re not going to be too hot and will be able to regulate their body temperature.
3. Avoid Choking Hazards
It’s important to check that costumes are safe for your pet, as many contain choking hazards. This can be a particular concern if you have a young pet, such as a puppy. Small pieces that could easily come loose, beads, and fringing could easily become choking hazards.
4. Avoid Noisy Costumes for Nervous Pets
If your dog is particularly nervous, particularly around new sounds and objects, it’s probably best to avoid costumes that make lots of noise. Some costumes have noisy accessories, or come with pieces that might noisily drag across the ground – these aren’t ideal if your pet is easily spooked.
5. Look for Comfortable Costumes
Costumes that aren’t too tight and will feel comfortable for your pet to wear are much more likely to be accepted by them. You want them to be able to easily move around in them without their movement being hindered.
6. Ensure Their Senses Aren’t Restricted
Make sure they can easily see, hear, and smell in their costumes, to ensure their safety.
If your pet just can’t get used to the idea of wearing a costume and is too anxious to wear it, it’s probably best to stop trying. Dressing up your pet at Halloween should be a fun and enjoyable experience for all involved – if it’s not, we suggest leaving the costumes to the humans. Perhaps you could compromise and pick a Halloween bandana or other accessory to add a small touch of fun! Or just wear an image of your dog dressed up instead!
Visit our Halloween Collection to update your closet ready for Howl-o-ween!
