How to Make a Pet's Halloween Costume Safe

Should you dress your dog or cat up for Halloween? Probably not. I know your dog would look cool as Batman or your cat as Tony the Tiger, but your pet may not think it’s so cool. Now if I can't talk you out of it and your pet doesn't “seem to mind" (plus, it's a contest to benefit homeless animals)--at least observe the following steps for making the experience as pleasurable for your pet as possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Choose a costume that doesn’t have to be slipped over your pet’s head. If it has to be, see to it that the neck of the costume is large enough to slip over comfortably.
2. Make sure the costume doesn’t constrict your pet’s movement. It shouldn't be too tight or too long to walk in.
3. See to it that the costume doesn’t interfere with your pet's vision, hearing or ability to breathe.
4. Remove any parts that your pet could chew off or choke on.
5. Keep the costume as minimal as possible. How about attaching a whiskey barrel to your Lab's collar and letting her go as a Saint Bernard? Or dress up as veterinarian and patient, so that your pet could go as herself.

Tips & Warnings

• Only keep your pet in the costume for a short time--just long enough to show him off to your friends or wow the judges.
• For more tips on pet Halloween safety, visit the Humane Society of the United States website (see Resources below).
• Certain shelters and rescues sponsor Halloween costume contests for pets.
• Don’t take your pet trick-or-treating. Only confine her to an area that you know is safe.