How To

How to Make a Pet's Halloween Costume Safe

By Melissa Maroff, eHow Member Rating
How to Make a Pet's Halloween Costume Safe
Rate: (17 Ratings)

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.

From Quick Guide: Happy, Safe Halloween
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 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. Step 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. Step 3

    See to it that the costume doesn’t interfere with your pet's vision, hearing or ability to breathe.

  4. Step 4

    Remove any parts that your pet could chew off or choke on.

  5. Step 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 rescues sponsor Halloween costume contests for pets.
  • Don’t take your pet trick-or-treating. Only confine him to an area that you know is safe.

Comments  

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Haoie said

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on 10/8/2008 I don't know about your pets, but my dog won't stand for anything like clothes.

LissaK said

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on 10/8/2008 This is all so true, and in my opinion, pets shouldn't be made to wear human clothes. If they need them, they wouldn't have fur. But for those people who find it otherwise, thanks for writing this article 5*

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on 10/8/2008 That's a good thought, Beleza!

Beleza said

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on 10/8/2008 One additional tip is to make sure the costume does not interfere with your pet's ability to "go potty." (i.e. They don't end up peeing on it!)

Ginnifer said

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on 10/8/2008 Am I the only one who thinks its sick to dress up pets. They dont look cute or need the cloths, thats what they have fur for...

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