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" (and maybe you're entering him/her in a contest to benefit homeless animals)—at least observe the following steps for making the experience as pleasurable for your pet as possible.

Halloween comes but once a year—and there's no reason why the four-legged can't live it up like the two-legged. After all, we owe it to our pets big time—remember a little holiday called Fourth of July?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

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. In other words, skip the turtleneck sweater.

2. Make sure the costume doesn’t constrict your pet’s movement. It shouldn't be too tight or too long to walk in. Also, make sure it's "breathable" and not too warm for your pet; again a turtleneck sweater is probably not your best bet, unless your pet is going as the "Irish Spring Guy" (for those of you who remember the '70s or watch "Nick at Nite").

3. See to it that the costume doesn’t interfere with your pet's vision, hearing or ability to breathe. That would be for instance, no goggles, ear muffs or any kind of mask.

4. Remove any parts that your pet could chew off or choke on. If there are beads, tassels, strings or other attachments, make sure they are out of mouth's reach.

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 himself.

Tips & Warnings

• Only keep your pet in the costume for a short time—just long enough to show her 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 rescue groups sponsor Halloween costume contests for pets with proceeds benefitting their organizations.
• If your pet is not receptive or appears traumatized by the costume, don't force it.
• Don’t take your pet trick-or-treating. Only confine him to an area that you know is safe.

Resources

• HSUS: Keep Your Pets Safe on Halloween

[redar]

on 10/29/2009 How cute, they are having a dog contest at our clubhouse. thanks for your 5* advise

[dorigillman]

on 10/28/2009 my maltese has a spooky t-shirt she is going to wear!

[bells458]

on 10/28/2009 Wow that was a veary good artical. I am going to follow your steps the day before Halloween.

[ivysource]

on 10/28/2009 this is important, and timely!

[candoitall]

on 10/28/2009 Good tips. A pet's comfort and safety must come first!