Every cat and dog can get into the Halloween spirit. Many pet stores offer costumes for your pets now. But, it is essential to know the difference between having fun and hurting your pet with a funny Halloween costume.
Don’t let any horror stories scare you. Dressing your pet in a costume for Halloween can be a fun and rewarding experience. And get you a ton of likes on social media. Just be sure to follow our do’s and don’t’s to have a pleasant Halloween for you and your pet.
What To Do When Dressing Your Pet for Halloween
- Put sweaters on short-hair dogs. If you have a short-haired dog, your pup will enjoy wearing a sweater. Especially in the colder weather of Halloween.
- Measure your pet before buying clothes. Make sure to take proper measurements of your pet before purchasing the Halloween costume. A costume that doesn’t fit can be incredibly uncomfortable for your pet. Too tight, and your pet will be uncomfortable. Too loose, and the costume might catch on something.
- Have a dress rehearsal. Make sure that your pet feels comfortable in his or her costume before the big night. Do a test run for 15-30 minutes to make sure that your pet is comfortable.
- Dress your pet in a costume that they can still see and hear you in. You want to make sure that your pet can hear or see while wearing the outfit. Your pet doesn’t know that it’s Halloween when you put the costume on so they won’t understand if they suddenly cannot see. Keep the eyes and ears clear of any outfit.
- Make sure your pet can move in its costume. Any costume that restricts your pet’s movements is not a good idea for Halloween. Get an outfit that allows your pet to move as normally as possible. This will prevent injuries and keep your pet safe.
What to Avoid When Dressing Your Pet for Halloween
- Avoid sweaters and layers for dogs with thicker coats. Their thick coats provide enough warmth, and additional layers can result in your pup overheating.
- Stringy material. Dogs and cats alike can get into some severe stomach problems by eating strings. Make sure that your costume doesn’t have any frayed edges or anything that your pet can eat.
- Keeping your pet in costume when they clearly don’t like it. If your pet is clearly showing that they don’t enjoy wearing costume, take it off. If your normally rambunctious dog is sitting still or your cat is going crazy, it’s best to remove the costume. No matter how cute your pet looks for Halloween.
- Leave your animal alone. It’s best to always keep an eye on your cat or dog while they are in costume. If your dog is wearing a giant costume, they might get stuck trying to go through the doggie door. And, a cat might not be able to make it to a favorite hiding spot while in costume. So, be sure to always watch your pets while they are dressed up for Halloween.
- Dressing up puppies/kittens and elderly pets. Young pets and older pets might not be the best choice for a Halloween costume. Young pets are too small for a lot of store-bought costumes. And old pets might not be able to handle the stress of wearing an outfit.
DIY Dangers
While you might think you’re saving some money with a DIY pet costume for Halloween, DIY costumes can be the most dangerous. Without quality control, these costumes can lose items that, when eaten, can make your pet sick. If you do decide to take the do-it-yourself route, be sure that all materials are pet safe. Also, ensure that all components of the costume are securely fastened. You don’t want anything falling off and ending up inside your pet’s stomach. It’s important to be extra careful with the do-it-yourself Halloween costume. You might save some money making it, but you could end up with costly vet bills if your pet eats any pieces. You’ll want your furry family member to participate in Halloween every year after following these steps for pet costumes on Halloween. Follow these do’s and don’t’s, and everyone can have a Happy Halloween!
